5 Tips for Training a Temporary Employee

When you hire employees whom you expect to be around a long time, you train them. However, too many businesses do not train temporary employees, or do not train them enough. Not training/undertraining is a mistake, but the good news is that you can apply most of the principles you already use to train permanent employees. With that in mind, here are five tips for training temporary employees.

1. Know Exactly Why the Temp Has Been Brought Onboard.

Is the temp designed to fill seasonal need or to fill a gap? Something else? Before you can adequately train someone, you need to know the purpose of the person.

2. Set Expectations for the Temp.

As early as the job description (or even earlier), you should have a good grip on the expectations for this temp position. For instance, what software programs should the temp already know? What skills (hard and soft) should he or she have? Talk with people who perform this job, and use that information to develop an accurate and concise job description as well as a training plan.

3. Equip Yourself and the Temp.

You must ensure that you have the tools to train your temp and that the temp has what he or she needs to succeed. To illustrate, it is often best when temps have their own workspaces rather than needing to scrounge for one every day and start from scratch with gathering items such as laptops, pens and staplers.

4. Set Temps Up with Qualified Mentors.

Having a mentor can make a huge difference in a temporary employee’s motivation, productivity and ability to thrive. Mentors show that your business is invested and cares about the temp. Mentors are also handy go-tos for training help and for socialization efforts. However, do make sure that mentors are qualified; put thought into whom you choose.

5. Foster Long-Lasting Relationships with Agencies.

You minimize training time and training needs when staffing agencies know exactly what you need. They may be able to send the same (already trained) temporary employee on multiple occasions, for example, or send workers who have many of the skills you desire.

In addition to the above points, try to make your business processes are as temp friendly as possible. This will help them get up to speed quickly and be more productive.