Orientation and Onboarding: Setting the Tone for Jobsite Culture
In this blog, I’m continuing the reading of Elevating Preconstruction Planning, covering the First Planner System, specifically, orientation and onboarding.
Will Rogers once said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” The science backs him up, within just seven seconds, our brains are already forming conclusions about a person or place. On a jobsite, that means impressions start forming long before a worker even clocks in.
If the arrival experience is disorganized, unwelcoming, or frustrating, you’ve already set a negative tone that will take significant effort to reverse. I believe we have a responsibility to make every worker’s first moments on site positive, respectful, and engaging.
Why Orientation Matters
Orientation is your opportunity to welcome, acclimate, and connect a new worker to your culture, leaders, and values. It’s more than showing a safety video, it’s about ensuring people feel appreciated and know exactly where they fit into the big picture.
That means:
- Clear wayfinding and parking
- Clean, accessible restrooms
- A warm greeting from a human being, not a cold process
- An overview of policies and site layout
- A guided tour of break areas, safety zones, and huddle spaces
- A personal thank-you for joining the team
When done well, orientation sets the tone for collaboration, trust, and pride in the work ahead.
The Power of Onboarding
Onboarding is where you teach each individual how to succeed in their role. It’s ongoing, not just a one-day event. By providing daily huddles, clear logistics, tool training, and feedback systems, you ensure everyone no matter when they join gets the knowledge and confidence to thrive.
Late-arriving trades deserve the same attention as early ones. This is how you maintain engagement, consistency, and flow throughout the entire project.
Support is Respect
We respect construction workers, full stop. That’s why we use the Integrated Production Control System: to give foremen and crews the tools, training, and structure they need. Every foreman should have access to Takt training, advanced lean principles, and Last Planner System education on a regular cycle.
Clear standards and expectations aren’t just operational necessities, they’re acts of respect.
Key Takeaway
First impressions shape jobsite culture. A thoughtful, human-centered orientation combined with consistent, role-specific onboarding builds trust, engagement, and operational excellence from day one. Get this right, and your people will not only follow the system, they’ll believe in it.
If you want to learn more we have:
-Takt Virtual Training: (Click here)
-Check out our Youtube channel for more info: (Click here)
-Listen to the Elevate Construction podcast: (Click here)
-Check out our training programs and certifications: (Click here)
-The Takt Book: (Click here)
Discover Jason’s Expertise:
Meet Jason Schroeder, the driving force behind Elevate Construction IST. As the company’s owner and principal consultant, he’s dedicated to taking construction to new heights. With a wealth of industry experience, he’s crafted the Field Engineer Boot Camp and Superintendent Boot Camp – intensive training programs engineered to cultivate top-tier leaders capable of steering their teams towards success. Jason’s vision? To expand his training initiatives across the nation, empowering construction firms to soar to unprecedented levels of excellence.
On we go
