Given that employees are its most valuable asset, Hang Seng Bank allocates ample resources to staff training and development with the aim of sustaining a competent and professional staff force that will contribute to the success of the Bank. The Bank's staff training won recognition when it received the Gold Award for Excellence in Training organised by the Hong Kong Management Association in 1997, 1999 and 2001. In 2006, two training programs of the Bank won awards in the Excellence in Training from the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) and the Excellence in Practice Program from the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD). In 2007, the Bank's "Strategic Collaboration for a New Insurance Sales Culture" training program was recognized by the ASTD with a citation for its demonstration of "Excellence in Practice". Mission The mission of our Training and Development Department is to be a partner in the achievement of the Bank's business growth through the development of staff competence by providing timely, flexible, quality and cost-effective training services. Training Programmes All new staff joining the Bank will attend an Induction Programme to understand the Bank's culture, core values and corporate governance, to engage them and to help them integrate into the organization. In addition, to enable staff members to discharge their duties professionally and effectively, a wide range of training programmes on job-related skills and knowledge are provided. Depending on the job, staff members would receive relevant training on financial knowledge, banking operation, compliance, risk management, leadership and management skills, and sales and service skills. Reinforcement and refresher training are provided as appropriate to ensure that staff members have the most up-to-date knowledge and skills to carry out their duties to the highest standards. Delivery Channels Training interventions are delivered through multiple channels. Apart from instructor-led programmes, web-based training and online video training are also deployed to enable timely, effective delivery. The use of multiple delivery modes not only offers greater flexibility in learning but also a higher degree of training effectiveness. Evening Programmes To assist the long-term career development of staff, a wide range of courses ranging from language skills to professional development are offered to staff through the Bank's in-house evening programmes. These programmes provide staff with ample opportunities for self-enhancement to pave the way for advancement in their careers. e-Learning Centre In support of a continuous learning culture, the Bank has set up an e-Learning Centre which is equipped with facilities that enable staff access to a wide range of online learning resources, covering 24x7 e-books, web-based programs and multimedia materials. Professional Qualifications and Education Award Scheme Hang Seng Bank is dedicated to developing a well-trained and professionally competent staff force that will confidently face the challenges of the competitive market-place. Besides providing in-house training, the Bank also encourages staff members to pursue professional qualifications or academic qualifications for sustainable development. A Professional Qualification and Education Award Scheme is in place to recognize staff achievements in this respect.