Effective graduate onboarding ideas to foster growth

Graduate onboarding is the powerhouse process that sets your new recruits on the fast track to success. It’s not just a desk tour; it’s about immersing your grads in your culture, values and operations.

And nowadays, it’s no longer just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have for companies that want to thrive, retain and attract talent in today’s competitive landscape.

So, keep reading and hold tight; we’ve got your ultimate guide to graduate schemes, onboarding know-how, and venue selection below:

Understanding graduate schemes

Different graduate Schemes

Graduate schemes come in all shapes and sizes, but they typically offer a structured approach to nurturing talent and developing future leaders. Most commonly, you’ll find 3 common formats for these schemes – rotational, specialised or hybrid.

Rotational Graduate Programmes

Think of this as the tour of careers. You get to dabble in various departments, gain diverse experiences and essentially get a broad view of the entire company’s operations and ways of working.

Difference between a graduate job and a graduate scheme

Simply put, a graduate job typically refers to an entry-level position within an organisation, while a graduate scheme encompasses a structured development programme.

Structure and duration

Though quite similar, graduate schemes differ slightly from a graduate job. With a scheme, the applications will usually open in September for the following year, and this only happens once a year.

Schemes are usually held by larger companies, meaning the roles are highly competitive with a meticulous hiring process. For instance, graduate schemes within the financial and professional services sector receive around 250,000 applicants a year.

However, if offered a place, the extensive process will be worth it for the experience. The duration of these schemes varies, but they’re usually between 1-4 years in total.

The difference between a graduate job and a graduate scheme mainly lies in duration and structure. Unlike a scheme, graduate jobs are permanent, entry-level positions available to anyone who has graduated.

The hiring process is a lot more straightforward and typically advertised all-year-round, and you’ll begin working in your chosen department right away. Though still highly competitive like a graduate scheme, they tend to be less structured – much like a typical entry-level job.

Skills development and training

Graduates are provided with a wide range of learning opportunities, from technical training to soft skill development, enabling these young, talented individuals to grow into well-rounded professionals.

Graduate schemes prioritise continuous learning and development, whereby graduates are encouraged to harness their existing skills and expand these talents throughout the entire organisation.

This enables them to continue evolving with the changing business, and stay ahead in a competitive industry.

So, when it comes to graduate onboarding ideas, make sure you’ve got a thorough plan as to how you can hone in on your new employees’ skills and harness their progression.

Importance of effective graduate onboarding

Effective onboarding is the best way to turn confusion into clarity and uncertainty into opportunity. It sets the tone for your entire journey, increases employee engagement and realistically, it’s one of the best retention strategies to keep new employees with you for the long run. Reportedly, it could increase retention by around 82% – a statistic that can’t be argued with.

After all, first impressions count. So let’s get it right, shall we?

The onboarding process:

Orientation and induction

First stop, orientation and induction!

You’ll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek at the company culture, policies, paperwork, a few introductions and, of course, the tea and coffee round. A detailed and friendly induction process – whether it lasts for one day or two weeks – is the best way to set the stage for success.

Training and development

Now that all the introductions are over, it’s time to start sharpening those technical job-specific skills and equipping your graduates for excellence.

Similarly, developing those soft skills – such as time management, adaptability, team-building and communication – all helps prepare your grads to be able to navigate the professional world with finesse.

Plus, this is also a good opportunity to introduce your young professionals to any additional resources or learning tools they may now have access to.

According to a 2021 survey, graduate workers have a clear idea of what their ideal graduate scheme looks like, and it’s pretty simple. The majority of respondents prefer to work in an environment that allows a 50/50 split for collaborative and independent work.

Ongoing support and feedback

Regular check-ins and constructive feedback is a sure-win to a good, well-organised graduate onboarding experience.

Your new employee needs frequent feedback to know where they’re excelling and where they may be falling short, that way, you open the floor to continuous learning and you’ve got more graduate onboarding ideas to keep improving your scheme in the future.

Mentorship and buddy programmes

Connect your fresh faces with seasoned pros with mentorship and buddy programmes.

Not only great for knowledge sharing and providing support, but it also sets the foundations for good workplace connections to form – a win-win!

And the proof is in the pudding – 87% of businesses with onboarding mentorship programmes believe their new hires’ ability is accelerated.

Continuous learning initiatives

The education doesn’t have to stop once the induction is over. Keep the learning going by equipping your grads with cutting-edge courses and resources that they can do at their own pace. Whether it’s brushing up on the latest industry trends or gaining new skills, your grads will have the power to take control of their learning journey.

Similarly, take note of relevant webinars and workshops they can take part in, which are designed to be dynamic, engaging, and packed with actionable insights that can be applied to the real world and their role.

Or, take things up a notch and see if you can organise lunch-and-learn sessions with industry experts – it’s the perfect recipe for inspiration and growth.

Sector-specific graduate onboarding ideas and considerations

No two sectors are the same, so that means when you’re planning out your graduate scheme ideas, induction and structure, it needs to be tailored. One size definitely does not fit all.

Banking Sector Graduate Programmes

In the banking sector, compliance and regulatory training are absolute must-haves to ensure ethical practices are in order and you stay on the right side of the law.

Additionally, brushing up on customer service and relationship management skills is essential, these skills are like gold for building trust with clients.

Experiential exercises such as role-playing and business simulations are a brilliant way to get service expertise under the belt – setting your grads up for real-world scenarios they’ll experience in the future. According to recent research, the accounting and professional services sector had the highest levels of grad recruitment in 2022, increasing their recruits by over 25% compared to 2021.

This training can be delivered in a variety of ways, from presentations and lectures through to quizzes and interactive activities – but the main point is that it needs to be covered.

Healthcare technology and electronic medical records training are the gears that keep the industry moving forward, so take the time to get your team up to speed with these innovative technologies. Moreover, understanding how to collect and analyse data from these records is just as important, training which will be provided by a reputable graduate job provider.

In the healthcare sector, it’s good to have a broad understanding of various different departments, which potentially means a rotational format is preferable.

When figuring out your graduate scheme ideas, allocate the time in the structure to provide meetings with interdisciplinary teams and allow your young healthcare professionals to get a grasp on all different parts of the company.

Graduate Programmes In The Engineering Sector

Technical skills training and certifications are the foundation of your graduate onboarding. Though soft skills are important in every job role, engineering is one where hard skills come out on top.

Hours of hands-on training across various disciplines will need to go into your graduate onboarding process, as well as in-depth presentations and time spent going through the safety regulations and risk management processes that’ll keep both your team and projects safe.

A full engineering grad scheme typically spans across 2 years, and training will be heavily influenced by industry professionals who have skills and insight to share.

Common graduate scheme providers’ venue questions

Graduate training is often better in an alternative venue away from the office. It’s a less daunting environment for your new team members, and will provide breakout spaces, amenities and more to promise the best experience. Here’s a few common questions you may have about choosing the perfect venue:

Factors to consider when choosing a venue for graduate onboarding

Location, location, location

Accessibility is the name of the game! Opt for a venue that’s easily reachable for your graduates, whether by public transport or private car. Luckily, we offer graduate training venues in London which are strategically located in prime spots, making them the ideal choice for eager graduates.

Both our Smithfield and Barbican venues are located a stone’s throw away from the tube stations, and key train stations like King’s Cross are incredibly close by. Say goodbye to traffic woes and embrace the convenience of our prime locations.

Facilities for training and activities

Naturally, you’ll probably need a fair bit of equipment to properly facilitate your training days, especially if you’ve got a few innovative graduate onboarding ideas in the locker. And luckily, we’ve got the space to fit your dreams!

Our venues offer versatile spaces, ideal for interactive training sessions and engaging activities. With state-of-the-art facilities, such as stylish interiors, catering and collaborative breakout areas – your graduates will have everything they need to thrive.

Our team can provide valuable tips on selecting the right venue within your budget, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.

Seating capacity options for different event sizes

Small or large, we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand event, our venues come in various seating capacities, ensuring everyone gets a front-row experience. For those with a large cohort of graduates, your best option could be to book out an entire venue. Exclusive venue hire allows you to use the space as a training hub, allowing your grads to float between rooms, sessions and activities with ease.

Discounts, special offers and included services

When planning a graduate onboarding program, every penny counts. That’s why it’s essential to research venues that offer special deals and discounts.

These exclusive offers can significantly impact your budget, allowing you to allocate resources for other crucial elements of the onboarding process. By carefully selecting a venue with attractive packages, you can create a memorable experience for your graduate talents without compromising on quality or engagement.

Timing and booking recommendations

Time is of the essence when it comes to planning! To secure your desired venue and dates, you need to book well in advance. As soon as you have your graduate scheme ideas in place, start the venue booking process.

By acting promptly, you can avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling and focus on what matters – creating a great experience. Early birds get the best venues!

However, we do know that sometimes circumstances require a more flexible approach to booking venues. If you find yourself in need of a last-minute venue for your graduate onboarding, don’t panic! We’re all about being flexible here at CCT.

Reach out to the event team and we can see how we can accommodate any last-minute bookings. Rest assured with the right venue, your graduate onboarding can still be a resounding success.

Happy onboarding!

In the fast-paced world of graduate onboarding, the stakes are high, and success is non-negotiable. So, invest in your future leaders, nurture their potential, and watch your organisation thrive as they soar to new heights of excellence.

And if you’re ready to make the investment, make sure to do it right.

Get in touch with our event planners today so we can provide a top-class venue that’ll send your graduates home impressed, educated and ready for the next session. Ready to begin? Enquire below and let’s unlock your grads’ shortcut to success.