An international assignment implies relocation of the employee and very frequently, an accompanying partner and children. While employers increasingly provide pre-departure language and cultural awareness preparation to help orient the employee, the needs of the accompanying family often remain overlooked.

It is a well-documented fact that the single greatest reason for failed international assignments is family unhappiness. Accompanying partners increasingly leave behind their own fulfilling careers, only to find themselves isolated and without a sense of purpose and identity. Children, too, face major challenges in adapting to different education systems, having to make new friends and learn a new language. In short, relocation can be even more challenging for the accompanying family than for the employee.

IBA Global’s Family Training and Support courses provide detailed advice and information on all aspects of relocation and settling in to a new country. Tailored to individual needs, it covers not only the practical aspects of coping with everyday life, but also aims to minimise the sense of personal isolation and frustration often associated with relocating spouses and families.

Benefits

IBA Global’s Family Training and Support will provide you with:

• Up-to-date information and practical advice on living, working and studying in your new prospective country, tailored to your individual needs and requirements
• An understanding of the emotional and cultural challenges you and your family may face in the early phase of the relocation
• Advice tailored individually for family members on coping with “culture shock” and adapting to the new country and culture
• Information and tips on employment opportunities
• An opportunity to raise concerns about the assignment

Who should attend

Family Training courses will be of benefit to you if:

• You and your family are about to be assigned to work in a different country
• You have recently arrived in the new country, but have not yet been able to benefit from
• spouse/family training

Course content

All of our Family Training and Support courses are designed to meet each family’s individual needs and situation. A Family Training and Support course typically includes:

• Managing country and culture shock
• Practical information on all aspects of living in your new environment
• Career opportunities
• School and college systems
• Social opportunities and making new friends
• Strategies for coping and making the most of your experience

Approach

Family Training and Support courses are available seven days a week, 365 days a year, either at one of our training centres or at your offices in any location worldwide. We usually recommend a one or two day course but can also offer a more flexible format to suit your schedule. We can arrange for you to explore your new neighbourhood and community with your trainer as well as offering classroom based training.

Suitably tailored materials will be used throughout your Family Training and Support course and your trainer will provide a balance of structured input and discussion of case studies and scenarios relevant to your own particular context.

The most appropriate training format, content and approach for your Family Training and Support course will be discussed during your diagnostic consultancy.

Family Training and Support course trainer

Your Family Training and Support trainer will be assigned to you following the results of your diagnostic consultancy according to your objectives and areas of focus.