Awarding ingenuity in talent development in a post-pandemic era

Businesses in Hong Kong heave a collective sigh of relief with the final withdrawal of pandemic restrictions earlier this year; the return to normalcy enables trainers to flex their muscles and mount more comprehensive programs to attract and retain talents. Illustrious performers in this crucial area are recognized at the 2023 Award For Excellence in Training and Development, the only award of its kind in Hong Kong organized by the Hong Kong Management Association.

Every outstanding training and development program is the result of meticulous research, planning and execution by trainers who are able to translate corporate visions and objectives into strategic action by equipping staff with the required mindset, knowledge and know-how. Their role has gained added dimensions with dramatic changes in the business landscape in the post-pandemic era.

Their enormous contributions are recognized in the Award for Excellence in Training and Development, which has reached the 33rd edition this year.

According to Anthony Rushton, Chairman of the Training and Development Award Organizing Committee, the three-year pandemic has brought widespread changes across the industries, necessitating a transition from traditional staff training programs to innovative, blended and holistic solutions.

Rushton highlights the emergence of the so-called ‘blended solutions’ whereby the quick response of virtual training is combined with the effectiveness of face-to-face interaction. “The organic combination of these two methods allows the trainers to select the correct time and delivery to maximize efficiency,” he observes. “Against a background of talent exodus in the past few years, the mix is one of the robust methodologies to successfully recruit and retain talents in the city.”

To help top up the talent pool, Rushton reminds organizations to also invest in the "solid and really good performers", which are included in his definition of talents, instead of only focusing on high-flyers.

From this year's campaigns, Rushton notes a shift from the predominantly short and one-off interventions of the past to longer programs lasting several months to effect a sustainable change. The latter adopts a diagnostic approach in program design that is research-based to determine the factors and stakeholders needed to be included in the training intervention.

Keeping abreast of megatrends, a new special award on "Excellence in Well-being" has been introduced in this year’s competition to honor organizations that take care of their staff’s work-life balance.

Rushton is pleased with the high standard of this year’s entries, and expects a continued growth in sophistication in training solutions for the next edition.

It is great to see representation from a wider variety of different companies and industries in this year’s competition, and looks forward to welcoming more participation from small/ medium enterprises.“Irrespective of the nature of the business, or the size of the company or organization, the caliber of its staff is of paramount importance,” says Rushton.