6 Benefits of Pre-Departure Training for Expatriates

Pre-departure training for expatriates is a broad term for a programme designed to prepare individuals for the challenges of living and working abroad. It provides guidance on areas such as cultural differences, local customs, workplace expectations and practical considerations, helping expatriates and their families feel more confident before relocating.

The cost of unsuccessful international assignments can be significant for organisations, with some estimates suggesting they can reach up to $1.25 million per employee. Research has historically estimated that 30% to 40% of expatriate assignments may end prematurely, with difficulties adapting to a new country, culture or role among the factors that can impact assignment success.

There are a range of benefits of a holistic training plan for expats as they settle in to their role abroad:

1. Clear understanding of their role: Employees who are sent abroad for the right reasons are likely to be most successful. Pre-assignment training that clearly lays out the primary goals of their assignment is likely to help employees meet expectations with greater ease.
2. Better integration: The inability to settle into their new country is cited by most expatriate failures as a key reason for their return home. Studies have shown that cross-cultural training can positively influence expatriate adjustment by helping individuals better understand and adapt to their host environment. 
   Therefore, detailed inter-cultural studies and sensitivity training is required to:
   • Provide a detailed overview of the cultural differences between home and host countries.
   • Develop emotional flexibility to accept unfamiliar behaviour and values are effective ways of doing things.
   • Help the expatriate to evoke a sense of respect towards the culture and norms of their host country and to enact change in a culturally sensitive way.
3. Improved language skills: Ideally pre-assignment training will offer the basics of the host country’s language to those moving abroad. Good host language skills improve an expatriate’s access to information once they move abroad and helps them to build connections, an essential element of expat success.
4. Happy families:  The Brookfield Global Relocation Trends survey shows the most common reason listed for expat failure is ‘family concerns’ including challenges relating to their partner settling in, children’s education, quality of life or support in the host country. Some of these can be alleviated by not forgetting the expatriate’s family when it comes to pre-assignment training.
5. In-country coaching: Pre-assignment training should also outline the in-country coaching an expat can expect. Receiving structured support from other expats, management and colleagues once they move, can significantly improve the overall success of their time working abroad. 
6. Faster adjustment and increased productivity: Pre-departure training helps expatriates adapt quickly by preparing them for their new role, workplace culture and relocation challenges. With greater confidence and fewer uncertainties, employees can settle in faster, focus on their responsibilities and begin contributing effectively from day one.
   
   

To see true success, expatriate supports should be available at every stage of the assignment process:

1. Pre-expatriation training: Supporting the candidate and their family prior to the beginning of the international assignment. This period is crucial to setting an expatriate up for success. Preparation usually includes training in hard and soft skills as well as cultural awareness to prepare candidates for life in another country.
2. During expatriation: The best organisations continue to support those on assignment. This can be through mentorship programmes with experienced expatriates, ongoing cultural guidance and job-specific support to help employees adapt their skills to the local working environment.
3. During repatriation: Often overlooked, moving back home can be a very challenging time for former expats. Offering support to reintegrate into the business and navigating the change that may have occurred since they left can reduce the chances of repatriate churn. This can include bringing employees up to speed on organisational changes, supporting career reintegration and helping them apply the skills and experience gained during their international assignment.

The best pre-departure training is tailored to the specific needs of your organisation however there are some broad topics that are useful to include:

• Cultural awareness training
• Language training
• Project alignment training
• Practical relocation support
• Health, safety and legal guidance

However, it is important that the support does not end once an employee leaves for assignment. Once they are overseas HR can support expats to ensure they have the best possible experience professionally and personally. 

• Pre-departure training helps expatriates prepare for the cultural, professional and personal challenges of relocating abroad.
• Effective expatriate training programmes can improve adjustment, confidence and assignment success by providing employees with the right support before they move.
• Cultural awareness, language training and practical relocation guidance are key elements of successful pre-assignment preparation.
• Supporting expatriates throughout the full assignment lifecycle, including during and after relocation, helps organisations improve retention and employee wellbeing.
• Involving families in expatriate training can help address common relocation challenges and create a smoother transition for employees and their dependants. 
• A structured expatriate training strategy enables organisations to build a more resilient, productive and globally mobile workforce.