Judges note that companies show determination - and creativity - in raising the bar for their workforce FIVE FINALISTS WILL present six training programmes today in the final test of the HKMA Award for Excellence in Training. Vying for gold, silver, bronze and other awards are Gammon Construction, Hang Seng Bank, Jones Lang LaSalle Management Solutions, Langham Place Hotel and Shun Hing Electrical Service Centre. Graham Higgins, chairman of HKMA's human resources development management committee, had full praise for the quality of entries this year. 'The awards committee has had a particularly tough task this year choosing the top six out of the best 15 entries,' he said. 'It is clear that in companies of all sizes the approaches to design and delivery have become very sophisticated, and the tie-in to business needs is well established.' Mr Higgins said the entries reflected an increased use of a mix of classroom training and self-teaching material, short discussions and on-the-job follow-ups. He also noted an increased use of assessments to ensure the transfer of new knowledge and skills, and a readiness to deliver training in a 'very challenging' time frame. 'We particularly enjoyed finding training programmes that had not just followed traditional thinking, but experimented with new ways to equip the workforce,' he said. Individual trainers are also vying for awards: outstanding new trainer, distinguished trainer and trainer of the year. 'We had no shortage of able presenters,' Mr Higgins said, 'but the ability to relate well to the assessing panel and respond to our needs was the main separator between the best and the rest.' Three of the training programmes have already been singled out for Recruit Most Innovative Awards. They are Jones Lang LaSalle Management Solution's 'Service A+ Programme', Langham Place Hotel's 'The High Yield GST', and Shun Hing Electric Service Centre's 'Creating Value Through Synergy'. Shangri-La International Hotel Management, one of the sponsors, said the training awards were designed to 'motivate companies to increase commitment and investment in training', which would result in a highly skilled workforce, improved economic performance and benefits for all. CLP Group, another sponsor, said the award was a forum for exchanging knowledge and sharing good practices, while Hongkong Bank, yet another sponsor, said the awards 'continuously raised the bar on industry standards, which in turn supported corporations to excel in their performance'. hkma award for excellence in training 2006