Mandatory training is an essential step across numerous professions to ensure everyone adheres to industry standards, like compliance purposes in healthcare and construction or professional growth within education and corporate sectors. Despite being crucial, engaging team members in required training sessions presents a considerable challenge for many organizations.
Inventive approaches to this type of training not only delivers necessary knowledge but also engage participants on a deeper level.
Related: Corporate training services
Rethinking mandatory training: Beyond compliance
Think back on the last time you undertook mandatory workplace training. Did you blindly click through and not pay it much attention? If so, don’t feel too bad. It turns out 49% of employees do the same thing.
Imagine if your team actually looked forward to these training sessions, actively participating instead of just listening. When you focus on connecting with your teams through training, they retain more information.
The most common types of mandatory training are:
- Cybersecurity Awareness: Knowledge to safeguard critical information and detect potential online threats
- Health and Safety Procedures: Fundamental in fields like manufacturing, construction, and healthcare to significantly reduce injuries and ensure a safer workplace
- Harassment Prevention: Vital across every industry to nurture a work atmosphere grounded in respect and safety
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training: Plays an indispensable role in fostering an inclusive culture which can improve overall team dynamics
As you can see, these are topics that should be taken seriously. So, how do we make “mandatory” be “meaningful” when it comes to employee training?
Original approaches to mandatory training
Employers have an opportunity to shake things up by creating training sessions that employees will actively engage with. We’ve seen some great examples of this already in online learning platforms and customer training programs where innovation really shines. Here are some original ways in which mandatory training can be made more engaging:
Gamification of mandatory training
When you add gamification principles into mandatory training programs, something clicks for participants. They’re engaged, they enjoy themselves, and most importantly, they retain so much more information.
Points, badges, and leaderboards
Imagine turning the routine training session into a spirited competition. That’s what happens when you bring points, badges, and leaderboards into the mix. It’s about recognizing each step forward with a tangible reward that says, “Well done.” This approach gets everyone involved as they strive not just to learn but also to excel.
Interactive scenarios
Think of this as a dress rehearsal for real-world situations without any of the risk. Interactive scenarios let your team test drive their decision-making skills in lifelike simulations—complete with immediate feedback—which helps cement new concepts much more effectively than lectures could ever do.
Storytelling and scenario-based learning
Integrating real-world scenarios into training helps anchor abstract concepts in practical, relatable experiences. This approach allows employees to see the direct relevance of their learning to their daily tasks and challenges, making the training material more memorable.
Effective storytelling weaves complex information into compelling narratives, making it easier for learners to grasp and retain. Stories can transport employees into situations that mirror their work environments, enhancing empathy and understanding.
These storytelling and scenario-based methods bridge the gap between mere compliance and retention and application (training vs. learning). They transform mandatory training into a dynamic process that fosters real understanding and long-term behavioral changes.
Microlearning for mandatory training
Microlearning breaks down complex information into smaller, manageable chunks that are easier to absorb and recall. This method caters to the modern attention span and allows employees to tackle learning one piece at a time.
It is particularly advantageous for training remote employees or those with variable schedules. Microlearning allows learners to engage with the material at their own pace and on their own terms, accommodating different learning styles and life commitments.
Interactive video training
Interactive video training sessions utilize visual content enhanced with interactive elements like quizzes and decision trees. This format actively engages learners, making the training session more immersive and interesting.
Videos can simulate detailed scenarios that require learners’ participation, offering a rich, interactive backdrop for storytelling and practical exercises. This method deepens engagement by involving employees in the narrative, requiring them to make decisions as they would in real life.
Interactive videos cater particularly well to visual learners and can significantly improve retention rates by making learning a dynamic, engaging experience. This format’s interactive nature ensures that employees are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning journey.
Making training relevant and personalized
When it comes to mandatory training, one size doesn’t fit all. Personalizing training is key here. In this section, we’ll explore how you can tune in to what your employees actually need from their training. We’ll discuss practical steps for molding the content so it hits home with every individual.
Tailoring content to different roles
When designing training sessions, they must resonate with the people in each role. Imagine you’re a marketer being trained as if you were accounts receivable—it wouldn’t make much sense, would it?
The same goes for any professional setting. By pinpointing what each job really involves, trainers can create content that hones in on the specific skills and knowledge those employees actually use day-to-day. It’s about giving them tools they’ll use rather than just theory.
Incorporating employee feedback
Actively seeking and integrating employee feedback is vital for continuously improving the training experience. Feedback mechanisms can include surveys, focus groups, and informal check-ins that allow trainers to gather insights on what works and what doesn’t.
This process helps refine the training content and engages employees by making them active participants in their learning journey, enhancing commitment and satisfaction.
Using data and analytics
Digging into data and analytics can really transform how training feels for each employee. When monitoring who’s engaging, who’s moving forward, and the results they’re achieving, companies can get a clear picture of what’s working and what isn’t.
It means you can tweak your approach as you go along. This way you can be sure that your team gets training that clicks with their unique ways of learning.
In the end, this tailored experience doesn’t just tick boxes, it helps everyone do their job better and stay on top of their game.
Best practices for implementing mandatory training
When rolling out mandatory training, it’s crucial to move beyond simply handing out assignments. Consider the whole experience from your employees’ perspective: how they’ll receive, process, and utilize this new knowledge in their roles.
Communicating the value of training
To get your team on board with training, clarity is essential. Spell out how these sessions can enhance their daily work and open doors for career growth.
Share concrete stories where training has led to better performance or helped achieve company goals.
Consistently remind everyone that continual learning is not just beneficial but integral to both personal growth and the company’s success.
Creating a supportive learning environment
A supportive learning environment is essential for effective training. This environment should encourage questions, foster interaction among peers, and promote practical applications of learned concepts.
Ensure that trainers are accessible and responsive, providing the necessary resources and support.
Consider the physical and virtual settings where training occurs—these should be conducive to learning, free from distractions, and equipped with the necessary tools to facilitate a seamless learning experience.
Ensuring accessibility and flexibility
In designing mandatory training, especially in our hybrid work era, the focus should be on ensuring every employee can access it without a hitch.
This means creating avenues where training for remote employees can also operate seamlessly. By weaving technology into various corners of the learning process, you create an environment where live sessions or pre-recorded content is just a click away.
When tackling time zones and personal schedules, consider broadcasting your sessions across different times. That way no one’s left out because they’re halfway around the world or balancing life’s other responsibilities.
It’s also essential to translate commitment to inclusion into action by offering resources in several languages and adapting materials for individuals with learning disabilities.
Monitoring and adjusting training programs
Training isn’t set-and-forget. Regular check-ins are required to ensure relevance and efficiency. Think of ongoing evaluation as part of its DNA. Vital feedback channels such as surveys help us understand if we meet objectives when training remote employees.
Dive into this feedback like it’s valuable data (because it is) that uncovers what tweaks you need to keep up with changing industry standards. Remember: job roles evolve rapidly thanks to tech advancements, and so must your training programs.
Regularly updated modules are necessary for keeping skills sharp in workplaces that are constantly changing and evolving.
Elevating required training through innovation
By incorporating elements such as gamification, customized learning paths, interactive video sessions, and ongoing avenues for feedback, businesses can dramatically improve how their training programs resonate with employees. These approaches go beyond mere compliance, they cultivate an environment where continuous growth is part of the organizational DNA.
Learn about transforming necessary employee training from routine to remarkable in our comprehensive guide on effective employee onboarding training.
