TD2001: the search for the UK’s top training function

The TD2001 Award, run by Training magazine and sponsored by Raytheon Professional Services is looking for the most business-focused training and development team in the UK.

We are looking for a team that has a strong focus on performance improvement , has influence and respect at the top table and can demonstrate the effectiveness of its activities.

Any UK T&D team can enter the TD2001 Award for the UK’s Top Training Team – commercial and not-for-profit organisations are equally welcome . The T&D function may be internal or outsourced.

Our definition of team is broad. Your team might be members of your training department or they could be a combination of professional trainers and people from other departments. They could even include outsourced trainers. The key point is that they should be recognised within your organisation as an effective team.

The winning team will receive the TD2001 Trophy at a special presentation to be held during the Training Solutions Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 27 June 2001. There will also be trophies for two runners-up. The winning team and runners-up will also receive extensive coverage in Personnel Today and Training magazines.

To be eligible, you must be able to demonstrate excellence in at least two of the following three areas:

A Integration with the organisation (write up to 300 words): Outline the ways in which your team works with the rest of your organisation. For example, how are line managers involved in the T&D process, do your team members act as performance consultants? How do you help people apply their learning back in the workplace? Ho well does your team understand the business or organisation you are working in? To what degree does it understand both operational and strategic needs?

B Top Table Influence (please write up to 300 words): Describe your relations with the senior managers and directors in your organisation. You may wish to provide evidence of the value they place on the T&D function or explain how they involve you in top level decision-making. What part does T&D play in the overall business planning process?

C Evaluation (please write up to 300 words): How do you measure the value and effectiveness of your training and development activities? You may wish to describe your evaluation process or give examples of specific ROI calculations you have carried out.

Provide the following information:

Name of organisation:

Address of organisation:

Organisation’s principal activities:

Organisation’s corporate website address:

Name of training team:

Address of training team (if different):

Number of people in training team:

Number of employees for whom your team handles training and development:

Team’s approximate annual training and development budget:

Your name:

Your job title:

Your telephone number:

Your fax number:

Your email address:

If you wish to supply relevant additional material in support of your entry please feel free to do so. We would appreciate it if you could supply us with three copies – one for each of the judges. Please keep a copy of your entry and a record of when you sent it in.

Send your entry to : TD2001, Linda Lucas, Events Desk at Training Magazine, 9th Floor, Quadrant House, The Quadrant, Sutton , Surrey SM2 5AS. You may also email your entry to linda.lucas@rbi.co.uk or fax it to 020 8652 3822. The deadline for entries is 5 April 2001

The judges will be visiting the short-listed teams in May 2001 so it will be essential that you or someone else in your team is available during that month.

The TD2001 Award will be presented on 27 June 2001 at the Training Solutions conference at the NEC in Birmingham.

Now Start planning your entry, and send it in as soon as possible.

5 April 2001 Closing date for entries

May 2001 Judges visit short-listed teams

27 June Winner announced

• Andrew Forrest is learning and development director of the Industrial Society. One of his special interests is the evaluation of learning. Andrew’s clients include prestigious blue-chip companies and he is author of Fifty Ways to Personal Development.


• Professor Mike Campbell is Director of the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University. His research and consultancy work has been undertaken for, among others, the European Commission, the DfEE and regional and local agencies. His recent work includes the relation between learning and economic performance including two studies for Nacett. Mike was an adviser to the Skills Task Force and a member of its Research Group.


• Colin Midson has a strong interest in marrying people development with the needs of the business and has just won an IIP special award in outstanding and innovative practice. Colin is operations director of Nim, the products division of lifting gear and winch specialist LGH Group plc.

About the sponsors

The sponsor of TD2001 Award, Raytheon Professional Services, specialises in the development, implementation and management of training systems and programmes designed to help organisations achieve their business goals.

Raytheon Professional Services offers various levels of support, either providing total outsourcing of a corporate university, development of a learning organisation / integrated training system or provision of specific consulting and training services.

In each case, the focus is on maximising the return on investment, through the application of “best-in-class” training solutions, reduced learning time and lower training costs. Delivering world-class consulting and training solutions in any culture and any language, Raytheon Professional Services is bringing benefits to major companies worldwide.

Website: www.rps.com Email: info@rps.com