Training and Development is one of the most important elements in any graduate scheme. This has been reflected by the quantity and variety of high-quality submissions we have received in the Training and Development category for these Awards in recent years. In order to accurately compare programmes and cater for the broad range of submissions received, the Training and Development category has been sub[1]divided into two categories, Specialist/Professional Programmes and Business/Management Programmes.
Specialist/Professional Training Programmes Category
These graduate programmes are focused on specific professional or technical learning, and often lead to a professional or accredited qualification. Examples of programmes like this would be (but are not limited to) those operated by employers in the professional services, accountancy, financial, legal and certain engineering/IT or property sectors.
Entry criteria
Judges will look for the following:
1 Well-designed, well-planned and well-executed programmes that are tailored to the needs of the business and the individual. (20 points – 10 for the business, 10 for the individual)
2 Exam success or achievement of other professional qualification (where applicable); positive feedback from graduates.(10 points)
3 Number of hours per week devoted to training during the programme, split between ‘on the job’ training and formal/professional training. (10 points)
4 Real business benefit and return on investment, including quantifiable results and outcomes, for the business and the graduates. (20 points)
Tips on entering
• Innovation and agility is well-regarded in this category, eg use of technology, support, review and feedback, adapting the training to meet the changing needs of graduates and the business etc.
• Being able to demonstrate a blended model combining on[1]the-job, performance management, mentoring and formal training is a good start.
• A focus on personal as well as professional development.
• Where possible show results of successful attainment of qualifications or success against internal KPIs.
• Try to demonstrate your organisation's commitment to developing your employees – the importance of the graduate programme(s) at all levels of the business, on-going personal
and professional development… anyways that you can show that training and learning are at the core of the business will help convince the judges.
Business/Management Programmes Category
These graduate programmes traditionally cover multiple business areas, a key feature of which are often multiple rotations for the graduates. This category also includes organisations whose HR teams oversee several differently-branded graduate programmes for different divisions within their organisation; as well as including umbrella programmes operated by organisations which match graduates with companies in order to develop businesses either in Ireland or internationally. Programmes like this would include (but are not limited to) those operated by employers in the retail, FMCG or pharmaceutical sectors.
Entry criteria
Judges will look for the following:
1 Well-designed, well-planned and well-executed programmes that are tailored to the needs of the business and the individual. (20 points – 10 for the business, 10 for the individual)
2 Positive feedback from graduates; progression/retention rates (where applicable). (10 points)
3 Number of hours per week devoted to training during the programme, split between ‘on the job’ training and formal/professional training. (10 points)
4 Real business benefit and return on investment, including quantifiable results and outcomes, for the business and the graduates. (20 points)
Tips on entering
• Innovation and agility is well-regarded in this category, eg use of technology, support, review and feedback, adapting the training to meet the changing needs of graduates and the business etc.
• Demonstrable management measures and robust mechanisms in place to ensure a positive outcome for the business and for graduates.
• Being able to demonstrate a blended model combining on-the-job, performance management, mentoring and formal training is a good start.
• A focus on personal as well as professional development is also viewed favourably.
• Where possible show results for graduates and business eg training leading to professional qualification, formal accreditation, success against internal KPIs, business gains.
• Give factual feedback/statistics of long-term outcomes, eg retention or employment rates, long-term career progression as a result of graduates being on this programme, etc.
