From Finches to Sparkles: How ABN AMRO and Next Learning Valley won the Learning Technologies Award

Realized Impact: 14,970 hours of time saved | 1,340,136 personnel cost savings | €3.1 million savings at full rollout

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Data-driven Risk & Compliance at ABN AMRO: learning with real impact

Sometimes a project comes along that shows exactly where learning in organizations is moving: smarter, more personal and truly impactful. The data-driven compliance program that ABN AMRO developed together with Next Learning Valley, is a textbook example. And: it was awarded the Learning Technologies Award, a wonderful recognition for this innovative program.

The challenge: compulsory learning without energy loss

ABN AMRO had a clear ambition: employees should not just complete mandatory Risk & Compliance training, but understand, apply and gain confidence from it.
Yet that ambition was under pressure. As visible in the document provided, there was:

• High study pressure
• Low motivation due to "check mark behavior"
• No distinction between beginners and experienced professionals
• Annual refresher training that was time-consuming with no visibility of real impact

The question therefore became urgent: How do we ensure that thousands of employees learn faster, better and more confidently, without losing quality?

The solution: modular, adaptive and data-driven

Together with Next Learning Valley and UP learning , ABN AMRO developed the Risk Refresher 2024–2025, a modern learning solution consisting of:

• A modular offering for every Business Line
• Smart pre- and post-tests
• An adaptive learning path that skips irrelevant content
• Integration of insights from xAPI data and dashboarding through Learning Locker and Insights
• Content development
• Automation via Waves for driving learning flows

As a result, learning no longer became an obligation but a customized experience.

"We no longer wanted to 'tick boxes,' but to allow employees to really learn and grow."

What makes this project special

1. Personalization at scale

   The pre-test showed that 59.3% of employees already had the right knowledge and could safely skip certain modules.
   With adaptive technology, this finally became a reality: employees only follow what is relevant to them.

2. More efficient learning without concessions

   Learning time dropped from 2:51 hours to 1:43 hours per employee. That means a time gain of 1:09 hours p.p.

   Bank-wide, this amounted to:

   • 14,970 hours of time saved
   • € 1,340,136 savings in personnel costs
   • Potentially even €3.1 million in savings when fully rolled out

3. Higher effectiveness through real knowledge growth

   For employees who did need extra support, the knowledge growth became clearly visible in the post-tests.
   The result: every employee gets exactly what he or she needs - no more, no less.

4. Data-driven decisions

   Learning analytics was even used to examine whether exemptions were structurally possible.
   However, the data showed: there was no significant difference between groups that had taken previous Advanced training and those without.
   This helped ABN AMRO to make informed choices and avoid risks.

5. Change of mindset

   By incorporating Schön's reflection-in-action principles, the move to behavior became logical and natural.
   Learning became noticeably more relevant and employees felt more confident in their roles.

Why this was worthy of the Learning Technologies Award

This project shows what modern learning should be like:

• Adaptive: based on what a person can already do
• Data-driven: decisions underpinned by real insights
• Efficient: time and resources are used smarter
• Effective: demonstrable knowledge growth and behavior change
• Innovative: optimal use of xAPI, Insights and Automation

It is an example for any organization that wants to move away from traditional, one-way learning.
The recognition with the Learning Technologies Award underscores the power of this approach.

And now? The journey continues

The focus in 2026 on:

• Even deeper personalization
• Behavioral measurements three months after completion
• Continued development of adaptivity
• Broadening to other topics within Risk & Compliance

ABN AMRO and Next Learning Valley are setting a new standard for learning in large organizations.