Nooglers get to grips with the Google way : Practice‐based learning for new software engineers

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze how Google trains its new software engineers (“Nooglers”) to become productive members of the team. Design/methodology/approach – The paper focuses on the institutions and support for practice‐based learning and on‐boarding practices at Google. Findings – The paper reveals how Google empowers programmers to “feel at home” using company coding practices, as well as maximizing peer‐learning and collaborative practices. These practices reduce isolation, enhance collegiality, and increase employee morale and job satisfaction. Practical implications – The paper reveals that Google's on‐boarding practices are successful because of the underlying organizational mindset and practice architecture that allow for practice‐based learning. Social implications – The paper highlights the principal features of induction training at a major company operating in a fast‐changing environment. Originality/value – The paper furnishes information that other companies could use to benchmark their own on‐boarding practices.