Nine tactics for successful staff training

Training new employees is a crucial investment in your business, and the way you approach it can make all the difference. Here are nine key principles to creating a training program that’s engaging, efficient, and effective – setting your new hires up for long term success. 

1. Schedule training when employees are fresh 

People absorb information best when they are mentally and physically alert, so think twice about scheduling training sessions at the end of a shift. Early in the day when energy levels are high is a much better bet. Consider adjusting schedules so that trainees start earlier, ensuring they’re paid for their extra time. 

2. Create a safe and supportive learning environment 

Stress hormones make it harder to concentrate, pay attention, process information, and form lasting memories. In short, if we’re in fight-or-flight mode, it’s almost impossible to learn. Make your training space calm and supportive and be sure to schedule plenty of breaks.  

3. Explain the ‘why’ behind every task 

Understanding the purpose behind a task helps people stay engaged and retain information. Instead of just instructing an employee to follow a safety procedure, share a real-life example of what can go wrong if it’s not followed. When they understand the why, they are more likely to follow through consistently. 

4. Provide constructive feedback 

Your team can’t learn and grow if you don’t provide feedback. To make your feedback more effective, start by letting your team know you care about them and value their contribution. Then, when you have constructive feedback to give, make sure you focus on behaviour and actions rather than personality. Always make your feedback specific, actionable and timely.  

5. Focus on positive reinforcement 

Instead of constantly pointing out mistakes, make sure you notice and comment on great work too. Positive reinforcement is effective because it builds trust and motivation and is more likely to lead to long-term behavioural change. Try to catch trainees doing something well and praise them for it.      

6. Connect new information to what’s already known 

New concepts are easier to learn when they’re linked to familiar ones. Use relatable examples and build on existing skills, to help bridge the gap between old and new knowledge. For example, when you’re training a staff member to deal with customer complaints, encourage them to think about how they would respond to a friend who is upset about something, showing empathy and then working towards a solution. This helps employees see that they already have the basic skills needed to handle complaints; they just need to apply them in a professional setting. 

7. Use clear and simple language 

Every workplace has its own jargon that new employees may not know. Think about terms that might be new and confusing for trainees. For example, ‘we’re 86 on fries’, ‘mise en place’, or ‘the pass’. Encourage trainees to speak up when they hear a new term they don’t understand and ask your established team members to take the time to explain acronyms or industry jargon.     

8. Break down complex tasks into smaller steps 

Large tasks can be overwhelming. Instead of throwing everything at trainees at once, break complicated processes into manageable steps - this makes things easier to follow, reduces mistakes, and builds confidence.  

9. Prioritise hands-on learning 

The best way to learn is by doing. While theory is important, hospitality and service-based jobs are hands-on by nature. Get employees actively practicing tasks as soon as possible. Repetition is key; encourage trainees to perform tasks multiple times, asking as many questions as they need to. This builds muscle memory and instils confidence. 

Final thoughts 

Training isn’t just about showing someone how to do a task—it’s about setting them up for success. Take the time to explain things clearly, be patient with the learning process, and offer encouragement and constructive feedback along the way. Everyone starts somewhere - remember you were new once too!