7 Ways To Train Employees Effectively (Plus Its Importance)

The next step after hiring a qualified candidate is the onboarding process, which often involves training. This allows you to show a new employee how to be successful in their role and help them adapt to the culture of the company. By taking the time to train a team adequately, you can lower employee turnover rates and improve productivity.

In this article, we explain the importance of training and provide some effective ways to train employees.

Why is it important to train employees?

There are many reasons why it's important to create a thorough training process for employees, including:

• Employee satisfaction: When employees feel like they're prepared and doing their job well, they may feel happier at work. Proper training also gives them a sense of support, which can lead to an increase in job satisfaction.

• More innovation: Giving new employees a solid start can help them stay focused on their work, and a strong understanding of the company's goals can lead to more spontaneous innovation. Continued training can provide skills they might need for new responsibilities.

• Higher productivity: When employees know what the company expects of them, they can begin working on their tasks without waiting for direction. They can start helping their team progress toward the company's goals.

• Enhanced efficiency: Training helps new employees complete their work properly. Fewer mistakes can lead to more efficiency for the company.

• Improved reputation: Employees who feel satisfied with their employer may spread this information to others who are looking for a job. This can increase your talent pool and give the company a positive reputation.

• Lower employee turnover: When you invest time in your staff, they're more likely to stay with the company. A proper onboarding process can make them feel welcome.

• Consistent terms: An organized training process can ensure each employee receives the same information when they first start working at the company. When everyone is aware of company policies and procedures, there may be less confusion and operations can run smoother.

• Increased engagement: Employees who know their job description can develop good work habits. Giving them the chance to learn their role and responsibilities can keep them invested in their work.

• Encourages future leadership: By giving employees the necessary resources from the start, you can help them feel more confident to reach for leadership opportunities. This is especially true if you focus on leadership development initiatives.

Related: How To Improve Employee Morale and Job Satisfaction

7 effective ways to train employees

These are a few ways you can effectively train your staff:

1. Focus on hard and soft skills

Along with focusing on technical skills, such as learning programs or software, it's important to focus on developing team members' soft skills. These are the skills that help them work well with others. Find ways to encourage their creative thinking, problem-solving, communication and conflict-management skills. By emphasizing both hard and soft skills, you can help them become a more well-rounded employee.

Related: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What's the Difference?

2. Personalize training

Although every employee can learn the policies of the company, you may want to personalize the rest of their training. When a new employee is experiencing the onboarding process, ask them about their preferred learning style.

You may learn that some employees prefer to read instructions on their own while others learn better through presentations. By customizing your training to their learning style, you can share new information more effectively.

Related: What Are the Different Types of Workplace Training?

3. Use multiple platforms

Offering training through multiple platforms can create a more engaging experience. Blend in-person learning with online videos, training manuals and real-life projects to teach employees.

By having multiple ways to learn, employees can really comprehend the material and work on their skills. It can also be helpful to provide digital resources that an employee can refer to if they ever need help. Creating a comprehensive how-to guide is a great way to encourage independent learning.

Related: 5 Human Resources Online Classes To Advance Your Career

4. Have employees train one another

You may be responsible for the initial onboarding process, but you can also have your other experienced team members conduct some of the training. These are employees who you trust to do a good job teaching others.

This can be especially helpful if they're going to be working with the new employee. Make it clear that the new employee can direct any of their questions to this leader. Having a peer conduct some of the training can make it a more comfortable experience.

Related: Employee Training and Development: How To Do It Effectively

5. Try cross-training

Depending on your workplace, it may be beneficial to cross-train an employee in different departments. Having an employee who can do multiple jobs can be helpful if another employee is unavailable. When cross-training, choose skills that may overlap between two positions. This may help your employees to become even more skilled at their main job.

Read more: Cross-Training Employees: 7 Effective Tips To Get Started

6. Help employees set goals

Before you begin training, have your employees set training goals for themselves. Inform them where you want to see their progress at the end of the training session. Help them find ways to measure their progress and stay focused on meeting these goals. You could offer an incentive, such as a free lunch or a gift card, to reward them for their hard work.

Read more: How To Set Employee Performance Goals

7. Provide ongoing education

After training a new employee, their education can continue throughout the course of their employment. Ongoing education is a way to further develop a team's skills and encourage professional growth.

Opportunities, such as workshops, seminars, retreats, lectures, conferences, subscriptions to online classes and one-on-one meetings are all helpful ways to continue their learning. Asking employees what kind of ongoing education they want to try is also a great way to show you value their development.