Onboarding is one of the most critical steps in the employee journey. It’s the very first impression new hires have of an organization, and it shapes everything that follows. 

Despite its importance, onboarding remains one of the weakest areas in corporate training. Our research found that onboarding received one of the lowest net promoter scores (NPS) across 18 training categories. That’s not just a missed opportunity; it’s a risk to engagement, retention and productivity. 

Stop losing great talent to a rocky start. Use these data-backed insights to craft an onboarding experience that is consistent, engaging and tailored to the modern workforce. 

Key Findings

 A reality check Only 22% of organizations call their onboarding “highly effective.” See what they’re doing differently.  
Delivery that lands Discover why 89% of companies rely on a multimodal mix (virtual + in-person + on-the-job) and how to copy their playbook.  
Data to win budgets Onboarding earns the lowest NPS of any training category. Learn how to turn that stat into a budget-boosting argument.  
From gap to greatness With 39 % of programs falling short, we map the biggest pitfalls and give you practical tips to address them.  

This report helps learning and development (L&D) professionals and human resources (HR) leaders rethink onboarding as a strategic, learner-centered experience that drives long-term success. 

Who Should Get the report

  • L&D and HR leaders revamping onboarding practices 
  • Talent development consultants who need fresh data for client pitches 
  • Product/service providers hunting for market whitespace 

Whether you’re building, selling or advising on onboarding, this research will equip you with the data and direction to guide smarter strategy. 

What’s Inside

  • Data-driven thought leadership to inform your strategy 
  • Benchmark data on effectiveness, delivery modes, topics and budgets 
  • Best practices to address common challenges 
  • Ready-made graphs to drop into your next meeting slide deck 

Use this report to sharpen your onboarding strategy, back up your recommendations, and make a stronger case for change. 

 

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Table of Contents

      • About Training Industry, Inc. Research

      • Introduction

      • The State of Onboarding Today

      • Topics and Delivery Modalities

      • Shaping the Strategy of Onboarding

      • Why We Did The Research

      • Conclusion

      • Best Practices

      • Terms and Conditions

 

Price: $245
Format: PDF
Pages: 28
Publication Date: August 2025

 

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