A Complete Guide for UK Employers
Get your onboarding process right with this step-by-step guide—and discover how Induct For Work can help you do it better.
Welcome to Smarter Induction Training
Starting a new job should be exciting—not confusing. Yet many employers struggle to deliver clear, consistent and compliant induction training. Whether you’re a small business or a large organisation, having a structured induction process is essential for safety, compliance, and workforce engagement.
This guide will walk you through how to conduct induction training effectively—step by step. You’ll also learn why thousands of businesses across the UK and beyond rely on Induct For Work to deliver induction training online.
What Is Induction Training?
Induction training (also known as onboarding) is the process of introducing new staff, contractors, or visitors to your workplace. It covers essential information such as:
- Company values and culture
- Job roles and expectations
- Health and safety procedures
- Workplace rules and policies
- Emergency contacts and evacuation plans
- Equipment handling
- Site-specific risks
The goal is to make sure every person entering your site understands their responsibilities, legal obligations, and how to stay safe. It’s also your first opportunity to create a positive and professional impression.
Why Induction Training Matters
Failing to provide proper induction training doesn’t just risk your reputation—it can lead to injuries, lost productivity, fines, or legal action. Key benefits of effective induction training include:
- Improved workplace safety
- Faster integration of new starters
- Clear understanding of responsibilities
- Better employee retention
- Compliance with UK employment laws and regulations
Under UK law, employers are required to provide adequate information, instruction, and training to ensure employees can carry out their duties safely. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 are particularly relevant.
Step-by-Step: How to Conduct Induction Training
1. Plan Ahead
Before someone starts, ensure their induction is ready. Prepare all relevant documentation, create a checklist, and decide who will lead the session. If you’re using an online system like Induct For Work, courses can be pre-built and scheduled in advance.
2. Tailor the Content
No two roles are the same. Tailor your induction to suit the employee’s job type, location, and responsibilities. For example, an office administrator will need different training from a warehouse forklift driver.
3. Start with the Essentials
Begin with general information:
- Company mission and values
- Organisational structure
- HR policies (e.g. dress code, working hours)
- Pay and leave entitlements
4. Focus on Health and Safety
This section is crucial:
- Fire safety procedures
- Location of first aid kits and emergency exits
- Manual handling guidance
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Reporting hazards and incidents
5. Explain Job-Specific Processes
Show the new starter how their role works day to day:
- Introduce tools, systems, or software
- Walk through standard procedures
- Assign mentors or supervisors
6. Check Understanding
Give the new starter an opportunity to ask questions. Use quizzes or brief assessments to confirm key information has been understood.
7. Provide Documentation
Give them access to digital copies of policies, procedures, and relevant contacts. If you’re using Induct For Work, these can all be securely stored and shared within the platform.
8. Track and Record
Record every induction completion for auditing and compliance purposes. Keep a digital record that includes the employee’s name, date, and topics covered. With Induct For Work, this is done automatically.
9. Follow Up
Induction doesn’t end on Day 1. Schedule follow-ups at 7 days, 30 days, and 90 days to check progress and fill any gaps in knowledge or performance.
Challenges Employers Face with Induction Training
- Too much admin: Chasing forms, printing handouts, manual filing—all time-consuming.
- Inconsistent delivery: Different managers deliver different messages.
- Lack of documentation: No proof of what was covered, or who attended.
- Multi-site headaches: Managing induction across different locations.
- Remote and hybrid workforces: Need flexible, mobile-friendly delivery.
This is why more organisations are turning to online induction platforms.
Why Use INDUCT FOR WORK Online Induction System?
INDUCT FOR WORK automates, simplifies and centralises the entire training process. It ensures that all staff, contractors and visitors receive the right training—wherever they are.
With Induct For Work, you can:
✔ Create customised online courses
✔ Upload videos, documents, and images
✔ Add quizzes to test knowledge
✔ Issue completion certificates
✔ Track compliance in real-time
✔ Collect key documents (e.g. licences, insurances)
✔ Send automatic reminders for re-inductions
✔ Access data securely from anywhere
Whether you’re onboarding one person or 1,000, the platform adapts to your needs.
Tailored for UK Businesses
Induct For Work is designed to meet the needs of UK businesses across sectors:
- Construction: SWMS, white cards, site access
- Local councils: Contractor onboarding, visitor inductions
- Healthcare: Policy compliance, safeguarding training
- Retail: Multi-site worker onboarding
- Recruitment: Mass candidate inductions
Everything is stored securely in the cloud, and your company’s branding can be applied to every page
Try Induct For Work Free for 14 Days
You’ve seen what effective induction training involves. Now it’s time to put it into practice—with a solution built to make it easy.
No credit card required All features unlocked Live support from the UK team
Sign up for your free trial today and see why thousands of businesses trust Induct For Work for smarter, safer onboarding.
Give your new starters the induction they deserve.
Induct For Work
Helping UK businesses deliver better induction training—online, on time and on record.
