How to develop a new employee training plan
Want to learn how to effectively develop a plan that will help employees adjust to their new roles? Our article covers the basics, the benefits, and offers some insight into software tools you can use to streamline the process.

Employees onboarding into new roles have a lot on their plates. There are new processes and procedures, a new organizational structure, different teams and departments – the list goes on. Creating a new employee training plan will go a long way toward making this as easy as possible for new hires, ensuring that they can integrate into their roles, ramp up, and begin contributing productivity-wise.
In this article, we’ll guide you through creating a new employee training plan, highlight the benefits of doing so, and show how AG5’s skills management software can help you create the best plans possible.
What is an employee training plan?Copied
An employee training plan is a structured strategy you can implement to help employees develop the skills, knowledge, competencies, and certifications they need to perform their jobs effectively. [1] It should cover the specific trainings, actions, objectives, timelines, and resources your employees will need. The right employee training plan will also align with your organization’s overall goals.
Employee training plans don’t necessarily have to focus on new employees – although they are an excellent way to bring new hires into your organizations. However, you can also use an employee training plan to support your employees’ long-term growth and career development.
How to develop a new employee training planCopied
A new employee training plan will differ depending on the type of organization and roles for which it will be used. However, there are several general steps that any organization can follow. Once you’ve implemented them, you can better fine-tune your plan to meet your exact requirements. Let’s take a look.
Assess your organization’s needs
The first step in developing any effective new employee training plan requires a full assessment of your organization’s needs and goals. [2] To do so, you should conduct an employee skills assessment. This will allow you to see the skills and competencies your employees currently have – as well as identify skills gaps on which your new employee training plan can focus.
To get the most out of your skills assessment, however, you’ll need clear definitions of your organization’s business goals. With them, you’ll be able to ensure that your training plans are aligned – leading to holistic employee training plans.
Define training objectives
Make a clear outline of exactly what your employees should be able to know and do after completing their training plan. Be as specific as possible here, in terms of both objectives and timelines. What should employees be able to do after the first week? Month? Year?
Create a training schedule
Training schedules for new employee training plans should be as clear as possible, with no room for confusion or error. They should also be broken down into manageable phases. This could be by day, week, or even longer, depending on the scope of your plan and the trainings involved in them.
Compile training materials and resources
A rich repository of training resources will help employees with questions they may have regarding their trainings. It can also help them prepare should they need to take examinations or tests.
Things to consider including in your training resource repository include:
- Employee handbooks or training manuals
- Videos, webinars, presentations, or access to digital platforms
- Checklists of tasks and milestones
- Practice exams and study guides
The importance of a new employee training planCopied
Well-built employee training plans are hugely beneficial to organizations, especially those that are in highly regulated, technical, or complex industries such as logistics or manufacturing.
Organizations with effective employee training plans enjoy:
- Enhanced productivity and efficiency
- Improved levels of employee engagement and satisfaction
- Reduced rates of employee turnover and 11% higher profitability [3]
- A workforce that is current and well-versed with new industry trends and technologies
- Higher rates of compliance with industry regulations and standards
What is a new hire training plan?Copied
A new hire training plan is specifically designed to onboard new employees. They are less broad in scope than employee training plans. They aren’t ongoing, either, and are instead meant to help new employees integrate into their new role as easily as possible.
New hire training plans introduce new employees to the company culture, policies, tools, and role-specific tasks to help them quickly adapt and become productive. They also often include orientation sessions and foundational training tailored to those who are unfamiliar with how your organization operates.
How to use a training plan for new hires
Using a new hire training plan will focus entirely on what is expected of new employees when they begin working at your organization. There are typically three phases to cover here
- Orientation. Introduce your organization’s culture, values, and mission. Additionally, provide an overview of your organizational structure and key processes, teams, and departments
- Role-specific training, Your new hire training plan should place a special focus on the tasks, tools, and processes new employees will use daily, including standard operating procedures (SOPs) and expectations
- Compliance training and certifications. Cover mandatory topics such as workplace safety, anti-discrimination policies, or industry-specific regulations – including any certifications that may be required of employees
Using software to train new employeesCopied
Designing and implementing a new employee training plan can be daunting. However, there are many tools and software you can use to simplify and streamline the process.
Our blog “LMS, TMS, KMS, HRM, and CMS: What’s the difference?” takes you through many of your options there.
Additionally, you can use AG5’s skills management software as a platform on which to input and manage employee skills data – including education, certifications, training, and experience. You’ll have all the information you’ll need, on-demand, and it will always be fully up-to-date and synced across your teams, departments – and even multiple sites.
With AG5, you can also:
- Create and use skills matrices
- Use the “Expert Finder” tool to find suitable replacements or successors
- Leverage skills and requirement libraries to categorize and structure the skills and qualifications present in your organization
- Track and manage training plans
- Trigger automated emails, SMS notifications, or API calls based on various conditions that will help you plan ahead and renew expiring certifications
Want to learn more about how AG5 can help you develop a new employee training plan? Sign up for a free, live, 15-minute demo for a customized look.
Sources Copied
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# | Source title | Description | Publication | Retrieved | Source URL |
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1 | How to Elevate Employee Skills: A Comprehensive Guide to Development and Training | SHRM | September 11, 2024 | January 16, 2025 | https://www.shrm.org/mena/topi.. |
2 | The essential components of a successful L&D strategy. | McKinsey | February 13, 2019 | January 16, 2025 | https://www.mckinsey.com/capab.. |
3 | Improve Work Performance With a Focus on Employee Development | Gallup | December 12, 2019 | January 16, 2025 | https://www.gallup.com/workpla.. |