SILO Compliance introduced several microlearning modules to keep our staff training relevant and up to date. They generally take about five minutes to complete, and we find they’re an efficient way to keep our team informed. Especially nowadays, as so many of us are working remotely, struggling to juggle home and flexible work responsibilities.
Now, whenever we need to adjust a policy or procedure, we simply create a new training or informational video at little to no additional cost. We can then upload the new module to our library of videos for staff members to watch at their convenience.
When it comes to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) awareness, refresher training is a regulatory obligation. So we have produced a series of five short videos, each 5-10 minutes duration, that allows our customers to roll out their annual AML Awareness training to their staff using the SILO system.
But is Microlearning an Ideal Method for AML Awareness Training?
For the compliance and regulated industries, we believe that the overall answer is yes.
Gone are the days of dragging employees into a boardroom for a day of training at the company’s expense. Many businesses simply cannot afford to maintain that model of staff training. And staff members, many of whom are now working remotely or in isolation, can no longer attend those long, in-person training sessions. Microlearning modules are simply the best medium to offer remote training for AML awareness.
And yet …
We acknowledge that the main disadvantage to microlearning is the fact that it is, by nature, micro. Occasionally, microlearning modules may fall short of providing staff members a holistic view of the material they need to learn.
There are subtle nuances to everything. And when you need your team to be able to connect the dots and understand the deeper meaning of certain material, short bursts of information may not be the best mode of communication. Especially when you are trying to reflect your organisation’s compliance culture through your AML Awareness training. In fact, a microlearning module may send the wrong message about how importantly your company takes AML compliance.
Enhance Microlearning for AML Awareness
Of course, there are ways to enhance microlearning modules to maximize their learning potential.
In some circumstances, you could try to combine old and new training techniques by presenting the microlearning modules alongside Q&A sessions (remotely if necessary). This way, you can encourage deeper discussions. It’s important to remember that as you roll out a new system with changes to AML policies and procedures, integrating some type of traditional, in-depth, formally-presented training sessions can help augment the microlearning experience. This can also help when introducing a new compliance manager to the team.
It’s Not a One-Size-Fits-All
Everyone familiar with AML Compliance knows that it’s never a one-size-fits-all, box-ticking exercise. Our mantra here at SILO is that what works for a larger organisation may not work for a small or mid-sized business, despite the fact that they are required to comply with the same AML compliance obligations.
Nowadays, some businesses may decide that microlearning modules for AML Awareness training are their only practical option. Others may still prefer more traditional routes.
That said, if you believe that microlearning modules can meet your immediate AML Awareness training objectives, then a microlearning module is a quick and economical solution.
But we ask you to bear in mind that this past year has brought a lot of changes to everyone. Your AML Awareness training courses for 2022 are going to need careful planning. And sometimes, the best way forward for your staff is to combine old training methods with new ones.