What is Cultural Competency Training?

Cultural Competence Training in the Modern Workplace

In today’s world of global teams, international clients, and increasingly multicultural workforces, cultural competency training is more important than ever.

Whether you’re a healthcare worker giving vaccines or a manager leading a virtual team across three continents, being able to navigate cultural differences in the workplace is essential.

This guide to cultural competency training explains what it involves, why it matters, and how people in different professions are using it to build stronger, more respectful working relationships.

Let’s break it down, starting with what the training actually covers.

What Does Cultural Competency Training Do?

Cultural competency training helps people build the confidence and skills to work more effectively with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. It’s about learning how to communicate, collaborate, and adapt in ways that are respectful, inclusive, and culturally appropriate.

The word ‘competency’ is key here. It’s not just about knowing a few facts about a culture. It’s about developing practical abilities such as reading body language, navigating different communication styles, or understanding workplace values, and knowing how to respond appropriately in real time.

A typical cultural competency training programme might include topics such as:

• Self-awareness and cultural bias
• Stereotyping and unconscious bias
• Communication styles across cultures
• Power distance, hierarchy, and decision-making
• Trust-building and conflict resolution

Depending on the audience, the focus will vary. A business team may explore cross-border negotiations and leadership styles. A social worker might concentrate on trust, boundaries and family expectations. For healthcare providers, it may be more about patient communication and cultural taboos.

At its core, cultural competency training is about helping people become more mindful of their own lens, while learning how to better understand and adapt to the lens of others. It’s a fundamental part of cross cultural training, and one that’s increasingly valued across industries.

“In our cultural competency courses, self-awareness is the foundation of all our learning. There is no point learning about other cultures, unless you know your own and how this shapes your work or communication preferences. We usually see lots of light bulb moments when people come to realise just how they might be coming across the others. This usually creates a sense of empathy for others.”
N. Payne, Head of Learning, Commisceo Global

Why is Cultural Competency Training Important?

The short answer? Because culture affects how we connect, work, and make decisions — and those things can make or break a team, project, or business.

Cultural competency training matters because it helps people become more aware of their own assumptions while giving them practical tools to navigate differences. When people feel respected and understood, collaboration becomes smoother, trust builds faster, and conflicts are easier to resolve.

The training isn’t just for global companies. It’s being used in hospitals, schools, military units, government bodies, and anywhere else people from different cultural backgrounds interact. From frontline workers to CEOs, the benefits are broad.

Here’s how it plays out in different fields:

1. Cultural Competency Training in Education

Teachers and trainers who understand how culture shapes learning can adapt their approach to better meet students’ needs. It also helps them spot and address bias — both in themselves and in the systems they work within.

For example, instead of assuming a student is disengaged because they don’t speak up in class, a culturally aware teacher might recognise it as a cultural preference for listening first, or a sign of respect for authority.

If you would like to delve deeper, then this video from the National Education Association is a good introduction to the importance of Cultural Competence in education.

2. Cultural Competency Training in Healthcare

In healthcare settings, cultural understanding can literally save lives. From beliefs about illness to norms around gender, modesty, or communication with medical staff, cultural expectations matter.

A culturally competent nurse, for example, might know that in some communities, male-female physical contact is sensitive. They would ask first, or involve a colleague if needed. It’s small changes like this that can improve patient experiences and build lasting trust.

Here is a two-minute lecture on the topic of Cultural Competence in healthcare from Towson University.

3. Cultural Competency Training in the Military

Military teams often work in high-stakes situations where cultural awareness is critical –  whether during peacekeeping, humanitarian missions or deployments in unfamiliar regions.

Training can help soldiers avoid misreading behaviours. For instance, understanding that in Southeast Asia, nervous laughter isn’t mockery but discomfort could stop a misunderstanding from escalating.

Here is a video in which the U.S military explains how important Cultural Competence is to communication skills for the military.

4. Cultural Competency Training in Business

With global teams, remote work, and multicultural clients, businesses need employees who can collaborate across cultures. This includes understanding how hierarchy works, how feedback is given, and how trust is built in different parts of the world.

We’ve seen this in practice with organisations like BHP Billiton, who turned to us for help in improving their communication skills. By focusing on communication preferences and decision-making styles, the training helped ease tensions and support better teamwork.

Whether you’re running meetings in Singapore, negotiating in Brazil, or onboarding new hires in Dubai, cultural competence gives you an edge. It makes you more adaptable, relatable, and, frankly, easier to work with.

“We have designed cultural competency training for over 20 years now which means we have a lot of feedback to draw upon, and consistently one of the key things we hear is that it gives people an opportunity to reflect on topics that are essential to their roles. This time and space allows learners to come up with ideas in terms of work practices, or simple personal techniques to improve collaboration. I still remember one manager commenting in the feedback that, “I thought about things I never even knew I should be thinking about!”
J. Conway, Training Manager, Commisceo Global

In this video, author and speaker Erin Meyer gives more insight into the need for Cultural Competence in business.

How Do You Get Cultural Competence?

There’s no shortcut to becoming culturally competent; it’s a skill you build over time through curiosity, exposure, and practice. But there are plenty of ways to get started, and cultural competency training is one of the best places to begin.

Formal training is useful because it gives structure. It helps people understand key concepts like bias, communication styles, and cultural values, while offering practical strategies for applying them at work.

That said, the learning doesn’t stop once the course ends. Cultural competence is something you keep developing throughout your career. Here are a few ways to build on your training:

1. Read widely

Books, blogs, and research articles can give valuable insight into how culture shapes behaviour – whether that’s in business, education, healthcare or social services. You can also explore country-specific guides to get a sense of local norms.

2. Watch and observe

TV, documentaries, and films from different cultures can help you spot patterns — like body language, humour, or ways of handling conflict. It’s also a fun way to see cultural values in action.

3. Join or create a cross-cultural group

In the workplace, setting up a group to share stories, traditions or cultural experiences can be a great way to learn from each other. It also helps create an inclusive environment where people feel safe to express their identities.

4. Take a cultural competency training course

A professional course in cultural competence can give you a solid foundation. Just remember: one course won’t tick the box forever. Think of it as part of a longer journey toward awareness and agility.

If your role involves working with international teams, clients or communities, investing in your cultural competence is a smart move. It’s not just about avoiding offence – it’s about building stronger relationships, making better decisions and showing up as a more effective professional.

“A nice little exercise we often use in cultural competency training involves showing people a photo and then asking them, “what do you see?” Ask them to write it down in one word. Then have everyone share the words before asking them to analyse if their responses described what they saw or interpreted it? Most people interpret what they see rather than describe it factually which gives us insights into how we tend to see the world, with our cultures having a big hand in shaping our realities.”
A. Al-Qudsi, Cross Cultural Trainer, Commisceo Global

Where Can I Find Cultural Competency Training?

Once you’ve decided to invest in training, the next step is finding the right fit. Not all cultural competency training is created equal –  the right solution will depend on your goals, audience and how you plan to apply the learning.

Some organisations need help improving communication in global teams. Others are trying to create more inclusive services, or navigate culture in high-stakes environments. Whether you need an off-the-shelf solution or something tailored, there are a few main routes to explore:

Cultural Competency Training Companies

Specialist companies bring experience, frameworks, and a fresh perspective. They’ll help you translate your needs into a structured programme that makes a difference. For example, at Commisceo Global we design cultural competency training that’s tailored to each organisation – whether it’s face-to-face, online, or blended.

You can opt for standalone workshops, a modular eLearning course, or a long-term training plan rolled out across departments.

Independent Cultural Competency Trainers

Freelance trainers can be a good fit for smaller teams or more focused sessions. Like training companies, they’ll usually work with you to build something that reflects your needs. Just be sure to check their experience and whether they’ve worked with similar sectors or audiences.

In-person Cultural Competency Courses

Depending on where you’re based, you may also find local options through universities, charities or professional bodies. These may be ideal for individuals or small teams who want to attend open sessions.

Whichever route you take, it’s worth doing your homework. Ask questions about the approach, look for client feedback, and make sure the training isn’t just generic theory. It should feel relevant, engaging, and immediately applicable to your workplace.

If you’re unsure where to start, our cultural competence experts can help you think through the options –  whether you need something strategic, practical, or somewhere in between.

Real-world Examples of Cultural Competency Training in Business

Ubisoft: Cultural Competence for Market Entry

A strong example of cultural competency training in practice can be seen in Commisceo Global’s work with Ubisoft as the company expanded into the Middle East.

As part of its regional growth strategy, Ubisoft recognised that success depended on more than market entry. It required a deep understanding of local business culture, communication styles, and relationship dynamics. Through a tailored cultural competency training programme, teams were equipped with practical insights into Gulf business culture, enabling them to adapt their approach and engage more effectively with local stakeholders.

The impact of this cultural competency training was clear in how Ubisoft refined its regional strategy. Teams began prioritising relationship building, strengthening their on-the-ground presence, and aligning their approach with local expectations around trust and communication. This resulted in more effective engagement, stronger partnerships, and improved commercial outcomes, demonstrating how cultural competency training can directly support business growth in international markets.

Citi: Cultural Competence for Remote Business Teams

Another example of cultural competency training in action can be seen in Commisceo Global’s work with Citi. As part of a strategic relocation of operations to Mumbai, a European team recognised that cultural differences could impact communication, collaboration, and overall performance.

Through a tailored cultural competency training workshop focused on Indian business culture, employees were equipped with practical insights into local working styles, communication norms, and relationship dynamics, helping them prepare for a smoother transition.

The impact of this cultural competency training was immediate and measurable. Participants developed the ability to interpret culturally influenced behaviours, adapt their communication style, and build stronger working relationships with Indian colleagues. This led to clearer communication, fewer misunderstandings, and more effective teamwork across borders – demonstrating how cultural competency training directly supports business outcomes in global organisations.

Free Cultural Competency Training Courses

If you’re not quite ready to invest in formal training, or you want to explore the topic first, there are some free cultural competency training resources available online.

These can be a useful starting point, especially for individuals or small teams wanting to build awareness. Just bear in mind that free resources are often quite general and may not be tailored to your specific context or industry.

Here are a few options worth exploring:

1) Free Cultural Awareness Course

There is a free version (video only) of this eLearning course for business professionals and people working in multicultural or international teams. It looks at concepts such as the Culture Lens, bias, cultural values, and specifically at topics around time, teamwork, and communication.

2) Cultural Competence in the Workplace

This free online course has been produced in Northern Ontario, Canada, and is aimed at both employers and employees. In English and French, you can also request a certificate of completion.

3) Intercultural Competence in Education

Developed by UIcelandX, this free online course has a Nordic emphasis in terms of the context in which it was created. Aimed at teachers and students, it seeks to create a more empathetic and aware environment within the school system.

4) Cultural Competence (Healthcare)

This course is specifically for National Health Service workers in the UK. The purpose of the course is to support clinicians in gaining knowledge and understanding of the issues around culture and health, and how this might influence health care outcomes.

5) Improving Cultural Competency for Behavioral Health Professionals (USA)

By the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, the goal of this e-learning program is to help behavioural health professionals increase their cultural and linguistic competency and improve the quality of care provided to clients from diverse backgrounds.

6) Advancing Cultural Competence

The certificate is designed for health professionals but is open to anyone. The course prepares participants to recognize how the conditions of daily life, sociopolitical forces, and the culture of medicine affect health among underserved racial and ethnic groups in New York and other regions of the United States.

7) Cultural competency training course (Australia)

The course is aimed at public sector staff in Western Australia and is part of the local government’s vision of an inclusive state. Registration and access are restricted to Western Australia public sector and local government staff.

Key Takeaways on Cultural Competency Training

Cultural competency training isn’t just about learning facts –  it’s about developing the awareness, flexibility, and skills to connect meaningfully with people from different backgrounds.

Whether it’s helping teams communicate better, improving customer interactions, or supporting more inclusive leadership, the benefits are real and far-reaching.

As global workforces become more diverse and more connected, building cultural competence isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s essential.