Barriers to engaging with statutory and mandatory training

There are many challenges regarding the uptake of statutory and mandatory training in health and social care organisations across the UK. Although there’s no exact recipe for success, there are ways to overcome these challenges, thus bridging the gap across the sector.

In this article, Dr Richard Dune discusses the various challenges facing the health and social care sectors. He will discuss the need to enhance access, transform organisational culture and improve the inclusivity and relevance of statutory and mandatory training programmes.

Barriers to statutory and mandatory training

Statutory and mandatory training is essential for organisations to ensure their employees are well-equipped to handle specific tasks and responsibilities. While there are numerous benefits to these types of training, some organisations still struggle to meet their targets.

Below, we will discuss the barriers organisations face in implementing statutory and mandatory training, including time and cost constraints, quality and relevance issues, access and inclusion challenges, and negative cultural perceptions.

Time and cost of training and development

One of the primary barriers organisations face is the allocation of time and resources for statutory and mandatory training. In particular, health and social care organisations have persistent staff shortages and budget constraints, which hinder their ability to provide adequate training opportunities.

Additionally, employees may need more time to complete the required training, leading to an increased reliance on online learning, which may not always meet quality and relevance standards.

Quality and relevance of training

Many professional organisations have questioned the quality and relevance of statutory and mandatory training. Factors that need to be considered include the effectiveness of online learning, the content of the training, the frequency of it and the frequency of it.

Poorly designed online learning can significantly hinder a meaningful learning experience. Organisations should conduct training needs analyses and tailor programs to suit the specific needs of different staff groups.

Improving access and inclusion

Access and inclusion are crucial factors when implementing statutory and mandatory training. Challenges in this area include the timing and location of training sessions, inclusivity and accessibility issues, limited access to IT equipment, and lack of support with IT skills.

Organisations must consider the diverse and complex nature of health and social care services when planning training sessions and ensure they are inclusive and accessible for all staff members.

Addressing the negative culture

The organisational culture surrounding mandatory and statutory training plays a significant role in employee engagement. Many staff may perceive statutory and mandatory training as a burden, undermining its importance and benefits.

Learning and development (L&D) professionals must understand and improve the culture surrounding mandatory training. Investing in the quality of training, relevance, access, and inclusivity will enhance the culture and compulsory training uptake.

Key points to remember

The following are the key points to remember from this article:

• Time and cost constraints - Organisations must allocate adequate time and resources for statutory and mandatory training while balancing staff shortages and budget limitations.
• Quality and relevance - Ensuring the effectiveness of online learning, tailoring training content to specific needs, and providing training at appropriate frequencies are crucial for successful training programs.
• Access and inclusion - Organisations should consider the diverse nature of their workforce and provide accessible and inclusive training opportunities, accommodating different schedules, locations, and learning needs.
• Negative culture - Addressing negative perceptions surrounding mandatory training and fostering a positive organisational culture can encourage employee engagement and improve training uptake.
• Improvement strategies - To overcome these barriers, organisations should enhance training quality, relevance, access, and inclusivity and collaborate with L&D professionals to understand and improve the surrounding culture.

Click here to read more about guidance on statutory and mandatory training.

Conclusion: Breaking down barriers

To overcome the barriers to engaging with statutory and mandatory training, organisations must prioritise consider the following:

• Addressing time and cost constraints
• Ensuring the quality and relevance of their training programs
• Promoting access and inclusion
• Fostering a positive culture around training.

By doing so, organisations can reap the benefits of well-trained and competent employees, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of their organisation.

Click here to see online courses and resources that will help comply with statutory and mandatory training requirements for health and social care professionals.

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