How to Build an Onboarding Programme That Connects, Engages and Delivers

Why Onboarding Often Falls Short

Many onboarding programmes are well-intentioned but miss the mark. They focus heavily on compliance and information overload, without creating a sense of connection or momentum.

If your onboarding experience feels rushed, disjointed or overly formal, you are not alone. HR and Learning and Development teams across Ireland tell us the same thing.

Common onboarding challenges include:

• New hires who feel disconnected or unsure of their place
• Graduates who struggle to build confidence and team relationships
• Interns who are overloaded with content but left under-engaged

An effective onboarding process should help new employees feel welcome, capable and ready to contribute. That is where we come in.

Our Approach to Corporate Onboarding

At Dynamic Events, we create structured onboarding experiences that are designed around people, not just process. Our onboarding activities for new employees are built on experiential learning principles. We use team challenges, simulations and reflective facilitation to help your people connect, grow and contribute faster.

Whether you are planning a graduate onboarding programme in Dublin or a one-day induction event for new hires, we can support your onboarding goals with customised, high-impact team building activities.

A Real Example: ESB Monthly Induction Day

When ESB partnered with us to deliver their staff induction events, they wanted an experience that felt engaging and meaningful for every participant.

We designed a programme that balanced interaction, purpose and fun.

"Dynamic Events lived up to their moniker and were agile, helpful and professional. They delivered a really enjoyable fun onboarding experience for our staff and I would highly recommend them." - Read the full case study

This approach is exactly what we bring to onboarding programmes across Ireland - energy, structure and impact from day one.

A Sample Structure for Graduate Onboarding

Our onboarding activities are designed to align with your employee journey. Here is one sample format, based on a structured graduate development programme. This can be adapted for interns, hybrid teams or new employee cohorts.

Year 1: Connection and Foundation

Objectives:

• Break the ice
• Build trust
• Promote communication
• Encourage confidence and inclusion

Activities:

• Treasure Hunt
  A location-based team challenge that brings energy and fun to the first workshop
• Code Breaker
  A small-group problem-solving session that encourages collaboration and creative thinking

These sessions are ideal for helping new starters connect and feel at ease in a new environment.

Year 2: Skills Development and Collaboration

Objectives:

• Strengthen planning and teamwork
• Develop project and time management
• Improve communication under pressure

Activities:

• Dome Works
  A hands-on engineering challenge where teams plan, build and adapt together
• Cake Factory
  A creative business simulation where teams take on roles in branding, production and pitching

These activities are high-energy and practical, helping graduates learn by doing and reflect on real workplace dynamics.

Year 3: Leadership and Purpose

Objectives:

• Build leadership and mentoring skills
• Encourage strategic thinking
• Reflect on growth
• Inspire action with purpose

Activities:

• Before Mars
  A future-themed mission focused on critical thinking and communication under pressure
• EcoBuddy: Power Up
  A meaningful CSR activity where teams build solar-powered kits to support communities experiencing energy poverty (check out our other CSR themed team building activities here)

These sessions are ideal for closing a development journey on a high, with strong alignment to values and real-world impact.

Tailored Onboarding Across Ireland

We support clients across Ireland with onboarding that is flexible, scalable and location-ready.

• Delivered in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Belfast and more
• Indoor and outdoor options
• Formats from 90 minutes to full-day
• Designed to complement your existing onboarding schedule

If you are looking to improve your employee onboarding process in Dublin or roll out onboarding activities for interns and graduates, our team can help you build something that works.

What to Include in a Great Onboarding Programme

If you are designing or improving your onboarding, make sure it includes:

• Interactive activities to encourage connection
• Opportunities to build communication skills
• Scenarios that mirror real workplace challenges
• A final moment of reflection or purpose
• Activities that reflect your company values and culture

Our onboarding team building experiences tick every box. They are practical, people-focused and fully aligned with what HR teams across Ireland are trying to achieve.

Explore More Onboarding Ideas

Looking to build a stronger employee experience from day one?

📍 Explore our onboarding programmes
📍 Read how onboarding activities help new employees thrive in week one
📍 See why team building belongs in every induction programme
📍 Discover onboarding activities tailored to Dublin-based teams
📍 Learn how digital treasure hunts enhance onboarding
📍 Improve your onboarding process with experiential team building

Onboarding and Induction FAQs

What are the best onboarding activities for new employees?

Activities like treasure hunts, collaborative challenges and business simulations help build trust, improve communication and support team bonding from day one.

Can you deliver onboarding experiences at our office in Dublin?

Yes. We regularly run onboarding events in offices, hotels and venues across Dublin and beyond. Indoor and outdoor options are available.

Is your onboarding programme suitable for graduates and interns?

Absolutely. We tailor each activity to suit the stage, goals and experience level of your group.

How long should onboarding team building activities last?

We offer formats from 90 minutes to full-day sessions. Programmes can be delivered as a standalone experience or integrated into your wider induction process.