Reduce Training Costs with Online Orientation Software
Successfully onboarding new employees has long been an important component of an organizations’ overall success. Studies have consistently shown that employees are productive sooner and stay employed longer after participating in well-designed orientation programs. Online training programs have become a big part of this process – and look to be a permanent fixture going forward.
The transition towards online orientations started some time ago, but recent global events have increased the urgency to implement online options. And now that we’re here and online training is being used successfully, it’s easy to see the value of sticking with it.
Each company has its own policies and unique culture and getting employees up to speed takes time (even when you hire the most talented ones). And as Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, “Remember that time is money”. Indeed.
Which brings us back to costs – is using online orientation software really the best way to reduce your training costs?
Does online orientation software really save you money?
Orientation programs often include a variety of elements, such as discussions on company policies and culture, information regarding the role, job shadowing, outlining the safety protocols that need to be adhered to, etc. It can help your new hires become productive team members in less time and can lead to overall better job satisfaction and performance. And this can all be done in an on-demand and efficient matter when completed online.
Some of the most notable ways online orientation software can reduce costs are:
• Less staff time required to deliver the training
• Content is reusable and training sessions can be repeated often with no additional cost
• It can be viewed in multiple locations at once – no need for trainers to travel or to have multiple trainers on staff
• Fewer facility costs required – training completed online can be completed from anywhere
• Reduction in paperwork and training record management – information can be collected automatically reducing the cost of administration
The actual savings will vary from organization to organization. And don’t forget there will be a cost to creating these onboarding materials. However, once you have your system set up, it is easy to deliver training online, and it can continue to be delivered for every new employee you bring on board.
Online Orientation vs In-Class Training
Does that mean online orientation is the best option for you? Perhaps, perhaps not. Again, there is no simple answer here. The best approach likely involves a hybrid of online and in-person learning. Let’s compare the benefits of each type of training…
In Class Training
• Can be slower, more time consuming, and more expensive
• Delivered with more personal interaction and the ability to ask and answer questions more easily.
• Increased interaction between employees, which can lead to better increased morale
• Questions asked by one person are explained to everyone – group learning is increased
• Training is often a one-size-fits-all model when onboarding large groups of employees. That makes customizing the training option more difficult for individual employees.
• Participants need to be gathered into a central location and offered the training at set times.
• Health restrictions or regulations may prevent large groups from gathering together
• Travel time to and from the training facility will factor into the costs
Online Training
• Participants have more flexibility of when they can take the training when it is delivered online.
• Multiple locations can be trained with ease.
• Reduced amount of paperwork – potentially – if online training is used together with a learning management system that keeps track of individual training statistics
• Learning can be automated, saving administrative time and making records easier to locate
• Easily assign courses to new hires
• No need to coordinate timing with large groups of employees or trainers
• Limited in-person employee interaction
Which One is the Best?
Online orientations are faster than traditional classroom orientations, while having much lower costs and being easier to coordinate. Course material can be organized and delivered automatically by an LMS, and employees can pick their own schedule. Many areas of business are moving online, simply because the time and cost savings are too high to ignore, and this also applies for training.
It is true that online orientations eliminate the opportunity to interact in person. However, your new employees will meet each other anyway once they start working, and you can also plan separate activities for that purpose. Combining orientations with team-building is a common but inefficient practice, and separating these activities is more efficient.
