Most training and development managers do not know if their
training programmes are suitable for staff from multicultural backgrounds,
according to research.
Sixty five per cent of training professionals were unclear
about the impact of culture on how individuals learn and 70 per cent were
unaware of potential difficulties in using case studies and other interactive
training methodologies for multicultural groups.
Furthermore, 58 per cent were unsure whether the design of
e-learning and online training interventions took sufficient account of the
cultural and linguistic background of learners, claims the report by training
company Culturewise.
John Cutler, Culturewise’s director of operations, said,
“Globalisation and the proliferation of cross-border team activity has
considerably expanded the client base many training and development
professionals have to deal with.
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“Not only does this imply addressing the need for cultural
awareness within the organisation, it also means examining the cross-cultural
suitability of the whole range of training interventions the organisation
offers.”
Over 40 training and HR professionals from a range of large
and medium sized international companies took part in the cultural awareness
survey.