It’s a common misconception that onboarding is just about signing a contract and receiving a welcome pack. For those joining an organisation, the onboarding experience is often a true insight into how a company integrates new starters, so it should be a seamless experience that sets them up for success.
Often seen as the sole responsibility of the HR team or the new hire’s direct line manager, L&D teams can also play a crucial role in this stage of the employee lifecycle, in the form of a robust onboarding LMS (Learning Management System).
Let’s explore this topic in more detail and provide 10 LMS onboarding features that can help get your new hire off to a flying start.
Different generations have distinct expectations for their onboarding experience.
Why should you use an LMS to onboard new starters?
A Learning Management System is a platform which facilitates the delivery and tracking of essential eLearning, and a key tool to use when onboarding a new starter. Let’s look at three benefits of an LMS for onboarding:
Streamlines the onboarding experience
For any new starter, it’s essential to get up to speed quickly. By using a sleek, intuitive onboarding platform, onboarding materials can be assigned, tracked and completed with ease. This will show the recent hire that they are valued and supported from the get go.
Diversifies learning methods
Different generations have distinct expectations for their onboarding experience. Millennials, for example, may prefer digital-first interactions and mobile-friendly platforms. Gen Z may thrive in interactive environments with gamified elements and short, engaging videos. Recognising these generational differences and providing a diverse range of learning methods (also referred to as a blended learning approach) within a user-friendly platform ensures a more inclusive and effective onboarding experience for all.
Enhances engagement
By offering new starters a hub which showcases structured, interactive learning experiences, learning becomes more enjoyable and something new hires want to partake in. This in turn improves engagement, which is vital when it comes to onboarding, especially when this kind of training can be seen as a tick-boxing exercise.
Sets standard of compliance
When mandatory topics need to be digested at the earliest stage of an employee’s tenure, such as health and safety for someone in a position of danger, it’s key that they absorb and retain this information. However, it’s equally important that they understand why compliance training needs to be carried out. An onboarding LMS can help set a precedence of compliance.
Balancing onboarding with other priorities can be challenging for new hires.
5 LMS onboarding features for the new hire
Let’s dive into five onboarding features that will help the new hire get settled in, access onboarding materials easily and understand what is expected of them within their new role.
1. User-friendly LMS onboarding dashboard
A clear and intuitive dashboard serves as the central hub for all onboarding materials. This streamlined interface makes it easy for new hires to navigate, access necessary information, and stay organised throughout the process
2. Convenient learning opportunities
Balancing onboarding with other priorities can be challenging for new hires. With an onboarding LMS, the new employee can complete bitesize learning at a time that is convenient to them. It will also allow them to pause and continue courses, meaning they can fit it into small bursts of available time.
3. Mobile-accessible
In today's mobile-first world, access to onboarding materials from any device is crucial. This enables new hires to learn on the go, utilise downtime effectively, and complete training at their own convenience, enhancing the overall learning experience. An LMS which utilises a mobile app will help facilitate this.
4. Gamification and quizzes
Gamification elements, such as quizzes and interactive challenges, make the learning process more engaging and enjoyable. These features not only help assess understanding of key concepts but also encourages friendly competition within the team, creating a more positive and memorable onboarding experience.
5. Prioritisation of mandatory eLearning
An LMS that prioritises essential training, such as mandatory compliance courses, ensures that critical learning objectives are met. Clear notifications and deadlines alert learners to upcoming requirements, reducing the risk of missed deadlines and ensuring timely completion of vital training.
Empower managers with a dedicated admin space to create personalised learning materials.
5 LMS onboarding features to empower managers
Having explored onboarding features that benefit new hires, let's examine five key features that empower managers to streamline the process and ensure a successful onboarding experience.
1. Automated push notifications
By automatically sending required learning modules to new starters via push notifications, the manager can be safe in the knowledge that this is taken care of. This eliminates manual tasks for managers, freeing up valuable time spent welcoming the employee to the team.
2. Tailoring content to new starters
Empower managers with a dedicated admin space to create personalised learning materials. This allows for targeted training tailored to specific roles, teams, or even individual new hires. This is also the case for company-specific content such as documents surrounding culture and ways of working.
3. Progress monitoring
Gain valuable insights into new hire progress with real-time monitoring of their onboarding journey. This allows managers to identify areas where support is needed and proactively address any knowledge gaps.
4. Seamless reporting metrics
A dedicated onboarding LMS which records and logs training and provides accurate reports will streamline the onboarding of the new hire. You can use these LMS analytics features to better understand how your new hire onboards, but these figures also demonstrate to decision makers within the company how crucial L&D is to the onboarding process.
5. Integration with other HR systems
Streamline the entire onboarding process with seamless integration between the LMS and other HR systems. This creates a smooth transition from recruitment to onboarding, with the process automatically initiating upon job offer acceptance.
Read the deeper-dive article published by The Access Group to learn how to leverage AI in onboarding and measure the success of your onboarding LMS.
Access LMS Evo provides you with the tools you need to get new starters on the path to success. With the ability to easily assign, manage and check training, create key onboarding materials specific to your organisation, and meet industry standards with up-to-date certification, you will provide a positive and engaging onboarding experience for your new employees.
