10. A Trainer's Perspective: Methods of conducting a AML/CFT training program

For the past month or so, I have highlighted the official stuff: the regulations, the guidelines, the details within the guidelines and how and what a Malaysian bank / financial institution / Reporting Institution (RI) is supposed to comply with.

Then, in the past 2 weeks we looked at the training requirements and also some way we can set up a basic training framework to meet those requirements.

In the next month or so, I would like to dwell further into the following questions:

1. How can we train staff on AML/CFT topics?

2. What are the key topics to be covered?

3. How do we go about remembering these stuff?

Today, the topic is: Training Methods for a typical AML/CFT class. In order to vary the learning experience and to enhance attention, there is a need to utilise multiple methods to a training session.

This is just a short summary of a typical one (1) day classroom session conducted for a group of experienced staff (not new joiners):

900am: Introduction and Housekeeping

910am: Icebreaker (with a message relevant to the topics in the day)

920am: Topic 1 (Seminar style where presenter shares information on slides)

1020am: Tea Break

1030am: Short discussion in groups to summarise Topic 1

1045am: Topic 2 (Seminar Style, but with activity in the middle to enhance learning. Activity could be to get groups to draw out on flip chart paper certain lists or process flows)

1145am: Group presentations on Topic 2

1215pm: Lunch

130pm: Short video clip on a related topic

145pm: Topic 3 (Seminar style with a role playing activity within the topic for the participants to prepare themselves for learning)

230pm: Role Playing activity by the participants

300pm: Debrief on role playing activity by presenter

315pm: Tea break

330pm: Energiser activity to loosen up

340pm: Topic 4

440pm: Assessment time

450pm: Evaluation form

500pm: End

Let's do a short breakdown for statistics purposes.

In a 8 hour class, we have:

1. 3 break times (1 lunch and 2 tea breaks);

2. 3 icebreaker sessions

3. 30 mins for 3 sessions of admin

4. 4 main topics (generally taught via seminar style)

5. 3 types of activity for learning: group discussion, group presentation and role playing

Notes to explain the different methods in the schedule

1. The day is broken into 4 main topics that require teaching and explanation, therefore a standard format of slides and lecture style is used to convey technical information to the audience.

2. However, to enforce learning and retention and understanding, the use of an activity usually helps. The activities used will depend on the topic / message to be conveyed.

The 3 standard ones used for AML/CFT training highlighted here would be:

a. Group discussion: breaks the ice, gets people talking and sharing and recalling ideas learnt in a smaller group setting, allows for interaction;

b. Group presentations: gets the group planning a coherent work on paper, then the more outgoing ones will get an opportunity to stand in front of the class to present their findings, with the support of other team members, giving the opportunity for learning from each other and sharing of experiences

c. Role play: allows the participants to discuss real life scenarios, and for those chosen to role play to get into the shoes of the roles, hence being able to see/feel the scenarios from various perspectives, hence enhancing the learning.

3. There are numerous other varieties of activities that can promote different kinds of learning as well (to be covered in a later post)

4. Ice breakers alone are good, as they relax the atmosphere and prepare audience for learning. But if the ice breakers have a message behind them, even better, not only do the participants feel more relaxed, they will learn something even before they start the session. One additional type of ice breaker in the schedule above is showing videos. Some people show short entertaining clips that may have some learnings. Those are good. The learnings can be some life truths or management tips, etc. However, if you can show videos which are directly related to your topics covered under AML/CFT, even better.

Points to ponder:

1. How does your class schedule look like?

2. What are some methods you have used which were effective in teaching and learning technical topics?