In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, Human Resources (HR) leaders face significant challenges in effectively and engagingly onboarding new employees. A recent survey by Hult International Business School highlights the extent of this issue, revealing that traditional undergraduate education programs are not adequately preparing students for the workplace, leading to increased burdens on HR departments.
Even though the study showed that a prepared employee will save a company $4500 or more, HR leaders are still not getting the investment they deserve. While AI has made some jobs faster, it’s also made the need for updating onboarding and systems all the more essential.
HR leaders coach, train, foster culture, and support every individual in a company but it’s clear: employees are less prepared, programs need to be updated faster, and the job of leading onboarding is more critical and understaffed than ever.
The Onboarding Dilemma
The Hult survey, which included responses from 800 HR leaders and 800 recent college graduates, uncovered several critical insights:
- 77% of recent graduates reported learning more in six months on the job than during their entire undergraduate education.
- 96% of HR leaders believe colleges need to take more responsibility for workforce training.
- 91% of HR leaders stated it costs more to onboard and train recent graduates compared to experienced employees, with 69% indicating it costs at least twice as much.
- Despite a widespread talent shortage, 89% of companies avoid hiring recent graduates due to concerns about their preparedness.
These statistics underscore the pressing need for innovative solutions to enhance the onboarding process, ensuring new hires are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively from day one.
AI Coaches: A Modern Solution
A variety of tools have been positioned to support onboarding and HR but AI coaches offer a real solution with accountability and culture for new employees. By providing personalized, interactive, and scalable training experiences, AI coaches can accelerate the learning curve for new employees, bridging the skills gap identified in the Hult survey.
Top AI Coaching Platforms for Onboarding
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Kyron Learning
Kyron Learning leverages conversational AI to create interactive video lessons, transforming passive content consumption into engaging learning experiences. By simulating real-time conversations, Kyron helps new employees develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, fostering a deeper understanding of their roles and responsibilities. HR leaders report increased employee engagement scores and significant time saving in updating and creating new course materials.
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Leena AI
Leena AI offers an AI-powered virtual assistant designed to streamline HR processes, including onboarding. It automates routine tasks, provides instant responses to employee queries, and delivers personalized training modules, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the onboarding experience.
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Retorio
Retorio combines AI with behavioral science to deliver personalized coaching sessions. By analyzing video responses, it assesses communication skills, emotional intelligence, and other soft skills, providing tailored feedback to help new hires adapt to company culture and expectations.
The challenges highlighted in the Hult survey emphasize the need for a paradigm shift in how organizations approach employee onboarding. By integrating AI coaches like Kyron Learning, Leena AI, and Retorio into onboarding programs, HR leaders can provide new employees with the tools and support necessary to thrive in their roles, ultimately reducing training costs and improving retention rates.