Outstanding training and development programmes that get ahead to meet the demands of the pandemic and social changes merit an honour at the 2022 Award for Excellence in Training and Development, the only award of its kind in Hong Kong organized by The Hong Kong Management Association.

Behind every exceptional training and development programme are trainers and organizers who are responsive to market changes and able to work in line with business plans to better strategize training and development programmes, thereby better equipping staff with the needed knowhow.

Their contributions are recognized in the Award for Excellence in Training and Development, which has reached the 32nd edition this year.

According to Anthony Rushton, Chairman of the Training and Development Award Organizing Committee, the pandemic in the past two years has not hindered staff training; instead, it paved way for progressive innovation in talent development.

“Trainers and organizations need to enhance talent development competitiveness while adapt and support the long-term development of the business”, he observes.

To achieve this, he recommends trainers to utilize technology to deliver training via different channels. In addition, apart from industry knowledge, trainers should possess high emotional-intelligence (EQ) and strong business acumen.

“Training and development has always been people-oriented” he says. “The best trainers connect people with their unwavering commitment and passion, and their high level of motivation and bags of enthusiasm form the key to success”.

Keeping abreast of the latest social developments

Raising the standard of training and development to new levels, three Special Awards are added this year to recognize companies and programmes with outstanding performances in these areas: “Excellence in Digital Transformation”, “Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Promotion” and “Excellence in Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace”.

Accordingly, the judging criterion has stepped up, requiring entries’ programmes to be designed and implemented with consideration to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Rushton explains digital transformation and ESG (environmental, social and governance) are some of the latest social concepts with which trainers need to stay well-informed as they play an instrumental role in driving them into their organizations.

The Award for Excellence in Training and Development also serves as an exchange platform for human resources professionals and trainers to share new ideas and best practices in Hong Kong as well as regionally.

“We welcome participants from the Greater Bay Area and Asia Pacific to enter into the Award and to enhance professional excellence of the industry,” he concludes.

Awarding advancement and change in talent development