Late summer or early autumn can bring a few new employees into your business who’ve had little or no work experience before. Recent university graduates will be starting their graduate roles, and school leavers are stepping into their traineeships and apprenticeships, so your business, like many others in the UK, will be preparing for their arrival.
Like during the recruitment process, first impressions count. For many early-career hires, starting their first professional role can feel daunting – whether it’s in an office or remote. A structured, well-thought-out onboarding experience will not only make them feel welcomed into the business, but also build loyalty, boost confidence and reduce early staff turnover.
Here are some ideas for how you can set your new apprentices and graduates up for long-term success from day one.
Prepare their workspace before day one
Nothing dampens first-day excitement like a laptop that’s not set up yet, an incomplete desk or a delayed email login.
- For in-office teams: Make sure their desk is fully set up, clean and stocked with basic stationery, monitors and ergonomic accessories before they arrive. Assigning a buddy or mentor on their first morning provides an instant point of contact for day-to-day questions.
- For remote & hybrid workers: Deliver equipment at least two to three days before their start date. Include a clear, step-by-step setup guide and schedule an initial virtual coffee check-in with their team lead first thing on morning one.
Create a new employee welcome kit
A welcome kit can be a simple way to show new starters what your company is all about. Rather than filling a box with generic promotional clutter, focus on functional, practical items that ease the transition into full-time work, as well as things that represent your company values. For example, if you have a strong environmental policy, make sure the packaging is recyclable.
Great items to include in a modern welcome kit for your new employees:
Tech & convenience
Branded water bottles, travel mugs, notebook/pen sets, snacks and laptop sleeves.
A personal greeting
A hand-signed welcome card from their manager with a unique message.
Flexibility & choice
A practical gift card that helps them outfit their workspace or adjust to their new routine.
Empower choice with ASDA corporate gift cards
One challenge of onboarding new graduates and apprentices is that their individual needs will vary. A hybrid or remote worker might desperately need home desktop lighting and desk organisation, while a school leaver transitioning into a formal office setting might need to build a professional wardrobe on a budget.
Rather than guessing what each person needs, offering Asda Gift Cards as part of your welcome package gives new hires the flexibility and choice to pick what matters most to them:
- Workplace wardrobe essentials from George at Asda: Transitioning from casual wear to corporate attire can be costly. George at Asda offers stylish and budget-friendly workwear, from tailoring and dresses to comfortable footwear and everyday staples.
- Home office comforts: For remote and hybrid recruits, Asda’s home selection provides budget-friendly options for desk lamps, organisers, soft furnishings and coffee supplies.
- Everyday convenience: As new starters navigate their first month’s budget before their first payday, gift cards provide practical relief for everyday lunch or commuting snacks.
Prioritise cultural integration over heavy reading
It’s easy to overwhelm early-career joiners with compliance training and employee handbooks during their first week. Remember to balance the formal training with cultural integration:
- Space out learning modules: Spread compliance reading over the first two to three weeks and try to make it as engaging as possible. Remember that everyone has different learning styles, so try to work with your HR team to make the learning as accessible as possible.
- Facilitate cross-department coffee chats: Schedule 15-minute informal virtual chats with colleagues across different teams to help them build an internal network and to learn more about the business than just reading some documents.
- Encourage peer bonding: If you’re onboarding a group of graduates or apprentices, arrange group lunches or team-building sessions to foster a strong support network. These can also be online if you have a mix of office, hybrid and remote workers, or if you have multiple offices.