The ways we share knowledge and training with our employees are having to change as work processes become increasingly remote and flexible. To manage this, more organisations have started to create their own employee training videos.
It’s a format that’s perfect for today’s workforces – it’s instantly accessible, remote-friendly and can be used as part of a Learning Management System (LMS). Instead of relying on generic tutorials, digital tools and video content agencies have made custom videos something that all organisations can now benefit from.
This guide looks at:
- What is an employee training video
- What makes them so effective
- Ten examples of effective training videos
Whether it’s something that you’re looking to manage in-house or to partner with an established video production agency, this guide should give you a good idea of the kinds of things that are possible.
What is an employee training video?
It covers any form of video content that’s designed to share knowledge and improve skills within a workforce. They help to deliver instructions, share best practices and communicate policies.
The typical areas covered by employee training video include:
- Health and safety
- Company culture
- Policy and compliance
- Technical knowledge/instruction
- Management leadership/message
Employee training videos are increasingly used as part of a Learning Management System (LMS) which automatically tracks the delivery and completion of ELearning courses.
Why are employee training videos so effective?
There’s an ocean of research to demonstrate the power videos have to engage with an audience. More than a quarter (27%) of online users are watching over 10 hours of video each week.
It has become the dominant form of communication and is particularly suited to learning and development. Here are some reasons why:
Engagement
A video presentation can connect with workers and communicate ideas in ways that are hard to match when using guides, documents or static presentations. They can make use of the styles and formats from entertainment and advertising to engage and communicate.
Flexibility
With the increase in remote and hybrid working, the traditional forms of ‘on-location’ training are becoming impossible. The video format allows training to be digitally shared across an organisation and accessed when and wherever it’s needed.
Cost-effective
The ability to instantly share knowledge and training across an organisation significantly reduces costs when compared to an on-location approach. When combined with an LMS, it allows organisations to manage training internally.
Consistency
The use of employee training videos helps to ensure the consistency and quality of training throughout an organisation. It makes sure that everyone receives the information and guidance that’s required.
Performance
A major benefit of digital video is the ability to monitor how people are interacting with the content. Analytics can be used to see the styles and formats that achieve the best results.
Top 10 examples of effective training videos
- Sentis
Format: 3D Animation
This is a great example of how 3D animation can turn a fairly dry topic into an engaging story. It communicates a workplace safety message by turning it into a narrative with relatable characters and a scenario that’s taken from a real-world case.
The use of case studies in this way can be particularly effective. It helps to connect a message to the everyday experiences of a worker – making it relevant and meaningful.
- Altex Industries
Format: Live action
This is a safety training video that’s integrated into the onboarding experience for new hires at this Canadian manufacturing company. The high production values, inspiring music and personal introduction help combine to deliver an effective message.
It’s an example of how an employee training video can also help to convey company culture. Safety and training video content can be a great way to show the ethos of an organisation that cares about its employees.
- NHS Digital
Format: Whiteboard
This shows the ability of a 2D animation to quickly and efficiently communicate a new policy across a large and distributed organisation. The simplicity of the whiteboard style makes it an ideal format for this kind of fuss-free message.
The origins of whiteboard videos were live-action recordings of people talking and demonstrating with notes and images being drawn on a board. Over time, this style has been kept but is usually recreated using 2D digital vector graphics.
- Kimray inc
Format: 2D motion graphic
A crisp, minimalistic look and a well crafted and reassuringly calm narration help to turn this technical presentation into a pleasant experience. It shows the power of motion graphic animation to use text and symbols to make information accessible.
A benefit of this kind of technical training video is that an employee can access it and interact with it. They can take notes, stop and repeat sections or just watch the section that relates to their particular problem.
- Emergency Response Driver Training
Format: Live action
Mixing live action with on-screen text graphics provides an extremely effective training tool with the instructor actively demonstrating best practices. The editing and addition of on-screen tips and markers provide a level of training that’s above and beyond being sat beside the instructor.
The on-screen graphics used in this are pretty basic but adding visuals to live action has become a whole lot easier thanks to motion-tracking technology. This allows text and images to be virtually attached to live-action footage.
- Photoshop
Format: Screencast
An engaging instructor and some smart editing can quickly turn an online presentation into a complete training video. The instructor presentation acts as the base with on-screen effects and edits being added to highlight the features being discussed.
While this is a 15-minute presentation, tags are used along the timeline to allow viewers to quickly navigate to the sections that are relevant to them. It’s a great way to make long-form videos more accessible.
- ASR Group
Format: Live action
The high production standards of this package help to establish the feel of a company that cares about its workers. By mixing employee interviews and real-life case studies, it helps to build a safety message that seems relatable and genuine.
- Chr. Hansen
Format: 2D Animation
The two cartoon-style characters featured in this video are used through this bio-chemical company’s training videos. They provide a fun and humorous way to communicate a purely visual safety message, allowing them to be used globally.
It’s a good example of how having a distinctive format and style can help to create a cohesive ‘brand’ for training videos. It helps to make sure that communications have a consistent tone and a familiar feel that builds over time.
- Energy & Utility Skills
Format: Live action
Relatable personalities, on-site locations and an irreverent approach combine to get this highways safety message across. The casual tone and feel are a world away from the traditional view of training videos as being dry and boring.
- Los Pollos Hermanos
Format: Hybrid – Live & 2D
This one’s a little different – it’s a fictional employee training video that was created by the makers of the Breaking Bad TV series. Despite the fact this is all made up, it’s a well-made package with a strong presenter (actor Giancarlo Esposito performing as Gus Frings) and a neat flip between live-action and 2D animation.
How do you create your own explainer videos?
Digital production techniques have made the creation of employee training videos something that organisations of all sizes can now achieve. This content can be used with a Learning Management System (LMS) to allow training to be managed in-house.
For simple content, such as the recording of a presentation, this may be handled by an in-house marketing or communications team. For anything more advanced, the staff training videos will usually be handled by an external video production company.
Kartoffel Films has extensive experience in creating training videos in a variety of formats and across industry sectors. Having an in-house animation studio, the creative team has the knowledge and expertise to find the best ways to share knowledge with your employees.
