Why Video is the Future of Onboarding (And How to Get It Right) – A Complete Guide in 2025.
All too often, UK companies (big and small) treat onboarding as just another formality, overlooking that those first days and weeks are crucial in shaping whether a new hire feels at home… or checks out early.
Get it right, and onboarding can pave the way for long-term engagement, productivity and success from your new starter.
Get it wrong, and you risk losing your talent (mentally or literally) before they get their feet under the desk and begin learning names.
There's No Sugar Coating It: The Stakes Are High
When it comes to the importance of onboarding, the numbers speak for themselves:
- When onboarding is executed effectively, companies have reported an impressive 82% increase in retention rates and a more than 70% boost in productivity. (source)
- Research indicates that 70% of new hires determine whether a job suits them within the first month, and 29% make that decision in the first week. (source)
- Statistics show that 44% of employees experience second thoughts during their first week on the job, and 90% decide whether to stay or leave within the first six months. (source)
We can't overstate the risk that companies take when they fail to make a strong first impression, both commercially and in terms of reputation.
Enter L&D video content - let's explore the benefits of using video to perfect effective onboarding.
A Changing Workforce Demands a Modern Approach
Today's workforce is increasingly comprised of Millennials and Gen Z. This shift brings fresh perspectives and new expectations.
These generations grew up with tech, short-form video and instant access to information. To meet them where they are, organisations should rethink onboarding strategies and embrace engaging, tech-forward training methods.
By reimagining your onboarding through engaging video content and e-learning, you can deliver high-impact, scalable training that resonates with every generation of employee.
Why Video is the Ultimate Onboarding Tool
1. Immediate Impact—No More Overload
Forget the one-to-ones, the two-hour PowerPoints, and the endless PDFS. Video simplifies complex ideas into digestible, bite-sized modules that your new hires can rewatch anytime.
Example: ESPO's "Values Brand " is a two-minute video that communicates culture, humanises the onboarding experience and sets expectations for all new starters - an ideal model for companies seeking to inspire confidence from day one.
This video combines visuals and storytelling in a digestible fashion to make key information stickier, turning what used to be information overload into structured, even-paced learning.
2. On-Demand Training and Increased Flexibility
When you start a new job, you aim to absorb everything, remember the essentials and hit the ground running. But reality often hits once onboarding ends - there's too much to take in, and some details slip through the cracks.
It's natural, but it can leave new hires feeling anxious and unsure whether to ask for a repeat of information they've already been given.
TUI's video on "How to Book a Holiday" is the perfect example of easing unnecessary stress. Rather than worry about needing to ask HR to repeat information on how to book a holiday, a simple video explains everything to new hires.
With video, onboarding fits more neatly into your employees' lives. Whether in the office, commuting, working remotely or revisiting a module late at night, new hires can access training when and how they need it, alleviating undue stress and boosting your employer brand in the eyes of your fresh starters.
3. Consistency, Clarity and Culture
Most of us know what it's like to start a new job and get conflicting advice from different senior team members. It's common - everyone has their way of doing things, and word-of-mouth training often leads to mixed messages about expectations and workflows, even in the most aligned teams.
Videos ensure that every new hire receives the same high-quality message. No matter the manager or location, the content is clear, consistent and aligned with your culture and values.
This saves your senior leadership team time and means you can rest easy knowing that your new hires aren't developing bad habits immediately.
Scottish Water's "Be Winter Wise" video effectively conveys how employees should deliver critical information and handle questions within the customer engagement centre.
This resource helps to ensure that all new hires are aligned with the company's communication standards and are equipped to provide consistent, accurate support to all customers.
The Business Case: Speed, Savings & Scalability
There are several ways that video contributes to the tangible and commercial benefits of employers during onboarding:
Speed to Competence: New hires trained with video see a quicker path to productivity, meaning less downtime, smoother integration and fewer obstacles in their onboarding process.
Scalable: Whether you're onboarding 5 or 5000 employees, video training scales effortlessly, ensuring that every new hire receives the duplicate high-quality content and messaging, regardless of company size.
Cost-Effective: Investing in a one-time video library can significantly reduce the need for repetitive live sessions, printed manuals and extensive onboarding events, leading to long-term savings.
Onboarding is Your First Step to Success
As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression, and in our fast-paced, hybrid and digital workplace, it's essential to rethink traditional training methods.
Your new hires aren't just joining your company—they're stepping into your culture, goals and story. Video onboarding gives you the tools to make that step meaningful, memorable and impactful from day one.
Whether you're welcoming Gen Z graduates, seasoned professionals or remote hires across time zones, video onboarding delivers clarity, consistency and connection.
Ready to level up your video training experience?
