Remember your first ever job and the nerves involved? What would it be like? Who would you work with? Would you know what to do?
The first foray into the workforce is testing no matter what industry, role or business, so as an employer what can you do to alleviate anxiety?
Here are five tips for welcoming young workers in…
A clear job description
A job description goes a long way to ensuring workers know what tasks they are expected to undertake and fulfill as part of their daily role.
Chances are you provided part of this job description when advertising for the position, but when hiring a candidate make sure you again furnish your new employee with a comprehensive copy of their duties and responsibilities.
Job descriptions should outline key responsibilities, employment terms like casual or part-time, rates of pay, relevant tasks and note who the employee reports to.
Clear expectations
Every role comes with a set of expectations that extend from the attire your employees wear to their attitude and punctuality. In addition to a clear description of their position, make sure you offer a clear outline of the expectations you have of employees.
This helps young workers understand the ethos of your company and what is acceptable and what’s not.
Combined with the job description, it allows them to gain an understanding of their role, and the greater workplace environment.
A solid induction
When it comes to young workers who may not have any previous workplace experience, a comprehensive induction process is essential. Depending on your industry and the job they are entering, this induction might involve on-the-job training, certification and more.
You are responsible for ensuring your young worker knows what to do and can cope with the environment of their workplace, so train them accordingly and give them the time they deserve to settle into the role.
An experienced mentor
Allocating a dedicated mentor to a new young employee or group of fresh workers is a great way of teaching them skills, imparting the workplace ethos and ensuring they understand every element involved in their job.
The mentor might be a more experienced employee, supervisor or manager, but ultimately this person assumes responsibility for imparting knowledge and any training related to the job. They are the go-to point for all questions, concerns or clarification a young employee may have.
Some helpful feedback
Feedback is a positive way of letting new workers know how well they are performing and whether they are meeting the expectations of their job. It’s also an important part of ensuring a young worker feels valued and appreciated for their efforts.
This feedback should be constructive, outlining areas where they are doing well, and others that may need improvement.
Take the time to sit down with a new employee privately to offer this insight into their performance at a suitable interval after they commence work.
What we do
The Father James Grant Foundation partners with corporate entities and organisations to offer on-the-job training and mentoring for young people looking to enter the workforce.
We tailor each program to the business involved; working with business to impart the skills they require and instill the employee ethos they seek.
If you are a business looking to participate, there are two ways to become involved: you can assist through workplace training or mentoring, or alternatively, assist the program through sponsorship.
Either way, the businesses involved are helping to change Australia’s employment landscape at a time when the youth jobless rate is at its highest in years.
Learn more about our programs or contact us directly to become involved.
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