Best staffing practices don't begin and end with good recruitment efforts. New employees need the tools and resources to gain confidence in their abilities to perform essential requirements and become comfortable in a new role. Effective training is a crucial part of improving the employee experience and retaining workers. It's even more critical in a warehouse setting where strict attention to detail is required and limited knowledge can lead to accidents and injuries.
Luckily, there are several strategies you can use to provide effective training for new warehouse employees. Using a variety of training methods can help you develop a successful onboarding program most likely to attract and retain top employees. These top training strategies can help you educate warehouse employees and retain new workers long-term.
Orientation Program
An orientation program should be the first step for new warehouse employees. It will provide a thorough introduction to the company and help new employees get a feel for the company culture. Perhaps more importantly, a highly effective orientation program helps align employee and employer expectations.
A recent report revealed that 72% of job seekers have started a job only to feel a sense of surprise or regret that the role or company was very different than what they were led to believe. More concerningly, 20% of job seekers will quit within a month and 41% will quit within two to six months if their new job isn't what they expect.
To ensure employees know what to expect, your orientation program should include an overview of the company's culture, policies, procedures, and expectations. This will help prepare employees for the road ahead and establish realistic expectations for both parties.
On-the-Job Training
Warehouse employees are required to participate in hands-on work that can differ from one company to another. On-the-job training is essential for warehouse employees to gain experience and practice job duties with supervision. Training can be provided by experienced employees or supervisors. It can also serve as a good opportunity to help new employees get acquainted with co-workers. Adopting a team-based pay model can help you accelerate the impact of on-the-job training since it naturally encourages more experienced workers to help train new employees.
Safety Training
Safety is a top priority for warehouse managers and it can help new employees gain confidence in their ability to perform required tasks. Statistics show that 52% of employees have experienced unsafe working conditions and 41% have left their organization because of unsafe work conditions. Safety training clarifies workplace requirements and outlines personal safety responsibilities. As a result, employees can become more confident in your organizational approach to safety.
Warehouse employees should receive proper training on how to operate machinery and equipment safely, as well as how to handle hazardous materials. The training should also cover emergency procedures and how to respond to accidents.
Performance Feedback
Providing regular feedback to new employees is crucial because it helps employees understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Statistics show that 65% of employees desire more feedback, and companies that invest in regular employee feedback have 14.9% lower turnover rates than organizations where employees don't receive feedback.
Both positive and negative feedback are effective when delivered constructively, and feedback should flow in both directions. When employees feel comfortable sharing their opinions, they can get the resources they need to improve their situation. Warehouse managers can use feedback to improve warehouse processes and create individualized training programs that focus on improving specific skills.
Cross-Training
Fifty-eight percent of employees are likely to leave their company if there are no opportunities for professional development. As technology evolves at a rapid pace, many employees are concerned their job will become irrelevant within a short period of time. Cross-training provides employees with the security of knowing they're an asset to your organization in more ways than one.
By cross-training employees in different areas of the warehouse, you can help employees develop skills and create a more versatile workforce overall. Training in different areas also helps employees understand the bigger picture of how the warehouse operates, and how their role fits into the company's overall process. The organization reaps major benefits from cross-training as well. When employees are equipped to handle multiple roles, the organization is better armed to take care of emergencies such as unexpected absences or terminations. By investing in educating new employees, companies can also prepare them to eventually step into leadership roles.
E-learning
Learning through e-learning typically requires 40%-60% less employee time than learning the same material in a traditional classroom setting, and 89% of employees want training available anywhere and anytime they need to do their job.
E-learning is a cost-effective way to train employees. It involves online courses, videos, interactive materials, and other media that employees can access at their own pace. E-learning can cover a wide range of topics including safety, equipment, operation, and warehouse management.
Mentoring Programs
Mentoring programs pair new employees with experienced employees who can provide guidance and support. Some companies hesitate to set up mentorship programs because of past failures or concerns that new and experienced employees won't see eye-to-eye. However, with the right plan in place, mentorship programs can be beneficial for both mentors and mentees.
According to SHRM, new entrants to the workforce are looking for guidance and mentorship from their employers. Eighty-two percent of young people said they would prefer to work under a supervisor who provides them with guidance and 73% said they are motivated to do a better job with a mentor who cares about them.
Mentors can share their knowledge and experience with mentees. They can also help new employees find their place in the organization so they can develop a sense of belonging. As mentees become more confident in their roles, all coworkers reap the benefits of an efficient productive team.
Set Employees Up for a Successful Future
By implementing these training strategies, warehouse managers can ensure that new employees are properly trained and prepared for their job duties. Such preparation helps employees feel more confident and secure in their roles. As a result, you can recognize improved employee retention, reduced turnover, and increased productivity in the warehouse.
In an industry where it costs $8,500 to replace an employee and turnover rates are at a whopping 43%, you can't afford to ignore the training bottlenecks and labor issues plaguing warehouse workplaces across the nation.
For over 20 years, Eclipse IA has provided customizable embedded workforce solutions within the supply chain distribution space. The companies we partner with see greater productivity and get real visibility into labor expenses, for increased throughput and better performance. Our strategies for onboarding, mentorship, cross-training, safety training, performance feedback, etc. provide real results to help you start employees off on the right foot. Get in touch to learn more about how we can help you recruit, hire, retain, and support high-quality warehouse workers.
