Compliance training program for 2024 - how to structure it right

Did you know that the average annual cost from companies that experience non-compliance issues is around $14.82 million? 

In 2024, compliance training is essential for medium-to-large organisations across both the private and governmental sectors. As industries grow and regulations change, equipping employees with the knowledge to navigate these complexities becomes paramount. A comprehensive compliance training program ensures workplaces remain safe, ethical, and productive. 

If you’re wondering ‘what is a compliance training program?’, it lays the foundation for upholding organisational values, minimising legal risks, and promoting a culture of integrity and responsibility. We’re here to explore how to develop a compliance training program that not only meets but exceeds the demands of the 2024 regulatory landscape, ensuring your business is well-prepared to tackle the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Keep reading.

Understanding compliance training in 2024

Today, understanding compliance training means recognising its dynamic nature and shifting compliance requirements that significantly impact training needs. As regulatory frameworks evolve, so does the scope of what constitutes effective compliance program training.

In recent years, we've seen new or anticipated changes in compliance regulations ripple through various industries, from healthcare to hospitality. For example, in the hospitality industry, a notable recent compliance requirement that has been introduced focuses on enhanced data protection and privacy for guests. These adjustments reflect broader societal, technological, and economic shifts, necessitating a proactive approach to general data protection regulation. Organisations must stay ahead of these changes to ensure their compliance training courses are relevant, up-to-date, and capable of preparing employees to meet new standards, ultimately safeguarding the organisation's integrity and reputation.

Some compliance training examples include: 

• Regulatory compliance training 
• Workplace safety training 
• Occupational safety training
• Sexual harassment training 
• Anti harassment training 
• Fire safety training 
• Training on internal policies 
• Business operations training
• Privacy training
• Anti bribery training
• Physical safety training
• First aid training
• Ethics training

8 best practices in designing compliance training

Let’s go through some of the best practices when it comes to designing an effective compliance training plan. 

1. Incorporate interactive and engaging content

Using real-world scenarios, case studies, and interactive elements such as quizzes and simulations can transform training content from mundane to compelling. These methods bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, allowing learners to see the direct relevance of compliance in their daily tasks. 

By engaging with scenarios that mirror actual workplace challenges, employees can better grasp the consequences of non-compliance and the importance of adhering to regulations. Interactive, gamified content makes learning more enjoyable and also enhances retention, ensuring that the lessons learned will be applied effectively in real-world situations. 

In fact, approximately 95% of employees prefer game-enhanced training methods over traditional methods. This approach fosters a proactive compliance company culture within the organisation, where employees aren’t just passive recipients of information but active participants in maintaining a safe and ethical workplace.

2. Customise training to specific roles and departments

By tailoring your employee training courses to address the unique needs, responsibilities, and compliance requirements of different groups within the organisation, you ensure that every team member receives learning material that’s directly relevant to their role. This approach increases the training's effectiveness and enhances engagement by demonstrating to employees the impact of compliance on their day to day operations.

Additionally, reviewing training entries for overlapping topics between departments can reveal opportunities for collaboration. These shared sessions optimise training efforts and promote interdepartmental relationships and understanding, highlighting how compliance issues and workflows impact various areas of the organisation.

3. Promote continuous learning and regular updates

The landscape of state and federal laws is ever-changing, and what was up-to-date yesterday might not be so tomorrow. This constant evolution means if you have legal teams and training developers, they need to be in close communication, ensuring that everyone's on the same page and no employee is left navigating with an outdated map. 

Keeping training fresh and current is about more than just avoiding legal pitfalls. It's about nurturing a company culture of continuous learning and adaptation. Instead of cramming compliance training into a once-a-year marathon session that can overwhelm and quickly be forgotten, consider spreading it over the year. This can make learning more manageable, engaging, and - most importantly - effective. Training techniques like microlearning courses can help with this method of learning.

4. Utilise technology and e-learning tools 

Today, engagement with information is predominantly through screens, so incorporating technology into employee compliance training programs makes learning more accessible and engaging. The introduction of training apps, cloud-based platforms, and mobile-based learning solutions like Lingio opens up a world of possibilities for compliance training. These tools allow for creating highly engaging training courses that employees can access anytime, anywhere, fitting learning seamlessly into their busy schedules. 

Moreover, the speed at which digital technology enables updates to training content is invaluable, especially for compliance training, where timeliness is critical. Online learning tools simplify the process of updating courses or creating new ones, ensuring that employees have immediate access to the most current information.

Additionally, eLearning platforms like Lingio streamline tracking and reporting, allowing HR managers to quickly identify who has completed their training. This is crucial for staying ahead in industry audits and avoiding penalties. 

5. Ensure accessibility and inclusivity

The diversity of learning styles and needs among staff necessitates a flexible approach to employee training. Traditional classroom settings and rigid schedules can exclude busy frontline workers, remote workers, or those who have other commitments that make attendance challenging. Moreover, long training sessions can disrupt work schedules and potentially require overtime arrangements, adding to the logistical and financial strain. 

Online compliance training programs offer a practical solution to these challenges. They allow employees to engage with training materials on their own time, from any location, and at their own pace. Digital platforms also offer varied formats to cater to different learning styles, including videos, reading materials, and interactive assessments.

Beyond logistical accessibility, inclusivity also means designing training that respects and acknowledges all employees' diverse backgrounds and abilities. This includes ensuring that materials are accessible to those with disabilities, such as offering captioning for videos and screen reader-friendly content, and are available in multiple languages, if necessary. For example, with Lingio, users can translate industry terms in-app to 100+ languages. Creating an inclusive learning environment also involves presenting scenarios and compliance training examples that reflect a wide range of cultures, identities, and experiences, building a sense of belonging and respect. 

6. Foster a culture of compliance

Embedding the principles of compliance into the organisational culture helps foster a culture of compliance. This involves more than just training. It's about making compliance a core value reflected in every action and decision. 

Leadership should demonstrate a commitment to compliance that inspires others. Encourage open discussions about compliance, integrating it into day to day operations, and recognising those who uphold these values. Celebrate compliance achievements to motivate the entire team. By doing so, compliance becomes a shared responsibility, creating an environment where adherence to regulations and ethical behaviour is part of the organisation's DNA, ensuring long-term success and integrity.

Structuring your 2024 compliance training program

Next, we’ll share how to build a training compliance program with some helpful structuring tips.

1. Budget Considerations

When planning your 2024 compliance training program, it's crucial to strategise for additional funds to accommodate unexpected changes in regulations, corporate policies, and organisational needs. Anticipate the need for updates or expansions to your training initiatives as regulations evolve and new mandates arise. Allocating a buffer in your budget ensures you can swiftly adapt to these changes without compromising the quality or scope of your training, keeping your program effective and compliant throughout the year.

2. Interactivity and engagement

Boosting your compliance training program with gamified learning and exercises rooted in real-life scenarios significantly increases engagement and involvement. Transforming the learning experience through gamification - such as interactive quizzes, puzzles, and role-playing games - makes absorbing complex regulations more enjoyable and memorable. By focusing on scenarios that employees might encounter in their daily roles, you provide them with practical applications of compliance principles. This approach makes the training content more relatable and encourages active participation. Such immersive experiences are key to ensuring that learners understand and apply compliance standards effectively in their work environment.

3. Creativity in training

Bringing creativity into your compliance training is another way to transform it from mundane to interesting. You turn abstract rules into relatable stories by weaving in case studies and real-life examples of effective strategies. This approach captures interest and also vividly illustrates the real-world implications of compliance. It's a fun and effective way to help your team understand the importance of staying compliant and its positive impact on your organisation.

4.Exclusivity and departmental overlap

When structuring your compliance training program, aim for exclusivity while being mindful of departmental overlap. Avoid repeating topics across different sessions and consider organising joint sessions for departments with related functions. This helps streamline the learning process and promotes team collaboration and understanding, making compliance a cohesive effort across your business.

5. Incorporating retention strategies

To boost the engagement of your compliance training, incorporating retention strategies is key. Leverage approaches aligned with the learning pyramid model, such as interactive discussions, hands-on practice, and peer-to-peer teaching. These methods ensure that information isn’t just heard but actively engaged with, significantly enhancing retention.

6. Avoiding overtraining

When planning your training courses, it's essential to strike a balance to avoid overtraining on specific compliance topics. A well-rounded program ensures that attention is distributed evenly across all necessary areas, preventing fatigue and keeping learners stimulated. This thoughtful approach helps maintain enthusiasm and absorption of the material, making every session count.

7. Time-saving techniques

Consider time-saving techniques that respect your team's busy schedules to make the most of your compliance training program. Developing sessions covering multiple related topics saves time and enhances understanding by showing how different regulations intersect. Your audience will appreciate the efficiency of a well-structured course that condenses what might otherwise take longer, keeping the training impactful yet succinct. It's also best to offer mobile-based training courses, so employees have the freedom to learn on their own time. These training methods ensure your team gets back to their roles quicker, with a more transparent, broader understanding of compliance matters.

Case studies: Successful compliance training programs

The case of Garth Peterson and Morgan Stanley brings to light the critical importance of robust compliance training in the corporate world. Peterson, a former managing director at Morgan Stanley, found himself in hot water over allegations of offering bribes to Chinese officials to win business deals, a clear violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). This incident could have spelt trouble for Morgan Stanley, but their solid foundation in compliance training played a crucial role in navigating the storm. 

Morgan Stanley's approach to compliance training is a textbook example of doing it right. Their program was a comprehensive, engaging, and regularly updated initiative that covered the essentials of anti-corruption laws, including the FCPA. It was designed to resonate across their global operations, ensuring that every employee, regardless of where they were in the world, understood the company's zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and unethical practices. 

What's remarkable here is how Morgan Stanley's investment in training and ethical conduct paid off. When faced with the allegations against Peterson, they could clearly demonstrate their commitment to compliance with the authorities. This helped in the early detection and reporting of the issue and proved critical in showcasing their efforts to prevent such practices, significantly mitigating potential repercussions like criminal prosecution. Moreover, the active role of senior management in promoting a culture of integrity was vital. It sent a powerful message throughout the organisation: ethical behaviour is paramount and non-negotiable. This ethos, backed by their proactive training program, protected Morgan Stanley's business reputation during a challenging time and reinforced the importance of compliance training as an integral part of corporate governance. 

Overcoming common challenges in compliance training

A significant hurdle in compliance training is employee pushback. Not many employees jump with joy at the prospect of more training, especially when it feels disconnected from their daily work. The trick is to integrate learning seamlessly into their workflow. Think microlearning and on-the-job tips that enrich without overwhelming. 

Plus, traditional, one-size-fits-all compliance training sessions can lead to boredom and disengagement. The solution lies in embracing digital tools and e-learning to deliver custom, engaging content that sticks. 

Another challenge is that keeping content fresh in the face of ever-changing regulations is no small feat, especially across different industries. Forming partnerships with experts can keep your training up-to-date without reinventing the wheel. 

Additionally, resources are often stretched thin. However, viewing compliance training as an investment rather than a checkbox exercise can transform its effectiveness. Make sure to allocate adequate budget and staffing to ensure the program's success. 

Looking ahead: Compliance training trends for 2024 and beyond

Compliance training is set to undergo significant transformations in the coming years, driven by technological advances. AI-driven customisation can offer training programs that adapt to employees' unique learning needs and styles. This bespoke approach makes compliance training more effective and engaging, ensuring learners receive the most relevant content. 

Furthermore, predictive compliance analytics utilise data to anticipate potential compliance issues before they occur. This proactive strategy will enable organisations to address risks preemptively. 

As we move into the future, these innovations in compliance training are poised to offer more tailored, efficient, and anticipatory learning experiences, aligning closely with the ever-changing needs of organisations and regulatory environments.

Create compliance training programs with Lingio

The evolution of compliance training in 2024 underscores the critical need for dynamic, engaging programs tailored to the unique demands of the regulatory industry. Best practices for crafting effective compliance training include incorporating interactive content, role-specific customisation, continuous learning, technology and e-learning tools like Lingio, and fostering a culture of compliance and inclusivity. 

By integrating these strategies, organisations can significantly boost engagement, retention, and the practical application of compliance knowledge. To create your own customised, accessible, up-to-date training and development courses that cater to diverse learning preferences and schedules, try Lingio’s AI Course Creator today. 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is a corporate compliance program?

A corporate compliance program is a structured framework designed to ensure an organisation adheres to legal standards, ethical norms, and industry regulations. It involves policies, procedures, training, and monitoring to prevent, detect, and address misconduct, safeguarding the integrity of the business and fostering a culture of accountability and ethical behaviour.

2. What five factors must a compliance plan include?

A comprehensive compliance plan should include five essential factors: 

• Clear policies and procedures reflecting current legal and ethical standards
• Regular training and education programs for employees
• Effective communication channels for reporting non-compliance
• Ongoing monitoring and auditing mechanisms
• Robust enforcement and disciplinary protocols to address violations promptly and effectively.
  
  

3. How do you evaluate compliance program effectiveness?

Evaluating the effectiveness of a compliance program involves assessing engagement rates, analysing training completion and assessment results, monitoring for reduced incidents of non-compliance, and gathering feedback from employees.