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One prominent example is the ‘People Management Excellence (PME) Programme’, which has accelerated the development of middle managers as effective leaders, preparing them for more advanced leadership roles.
This article is brought to you by The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)
Striving for two of its core values of “world-class leadership” and “continuous development”, The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) focuses not only on the betterment of society, but also that of its own people.
Seeing employees as its most valuable asset, HKJC is committed to offering an environment in which employees can grow and achieve success. As such, the Club has put in place a diverse range of training and development initiatives to nurture the leadership skills and professional competencies of its employees, enabling them to unleash their potential and achieve their career aspirations.
One exemplary learning and development programme is the ‘People Management Excellence (PME) Programme’, which has been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ). HKJC has won the gold award in Excellence in Learning & Development for this outstanding programme, a testament to the positive impact it has delivered.
Offered by The Hong Kong Jockey Club College, the learning hub for HKJC employees across all levels, the PME programme was launched in 2021. Unlike typical short-term training initiatives, the two-year programme focuses on fostering participants’ development of deep insights, strong peer relationships, and the effective application of learning.
Therefore, a blended learning approach that integrates online and in-person learning has been adopted. With innovative methodologies including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), cartoon case studies and online simulation, the programme provides an immersive experience and equips middle managers with essential skills and knowledge tailored to their roles, development needs, and the Club’s unique cultural context.
By investing in the development of managers, HKJC aims to foster a cohort of leaders who are not only technically proficient, but also deeply aligned with the Club's values and strategic objectives, ensuring a sustainable leadership succession plan and driving a tangible business impact.
The results have been encouraging. Over 95% of participants agreed the PME programme met the training objectives and were committed to applying the learning in the workplace. In addition, over 65% of participants have been promoted during or after the programme.
Positive leadership behavioural changes have been seen among participants, based on the feedback of their line managers, subordinates, and senior leaders. These include improvement in decision-making, more proactive team communication, as well as subordinates feeling more empowered and motivated.
“In the Jockey Club, we actively promote a learning culture, encouraging employees to pursue continuous growth and improvement,” remarks Dr. Lake Wang, Executive Director of People and Organisational Development, The Hong Kong Jockey Club.
“The Jockey Club’s People Management Excellence Programme has accelerated the development of our employees as leaders, preparing them for more advanced leadership roles. It also plays a crucial part in supporting the business by building a robust leadership pipeline. We take pride in the positive results it has delivered.”
The success of the programme can be attributed to the buy-in from top management and their involvement in HR functions, including the People Development Board and the Board of Management, as well as the support of HR managers, and the managers of the participants.
In addition to the programme, HR amplifies its impact by leading initiatives that promote a culture of continuous learning and growth. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their development. Some 97% of employees at senior staff grade and above have established a personal development plan, which specifies their learning goals and milestones.
To support employees in achieving their development goals, HKJC provides diverse training opportunities for upskilling, and thoroughly evaluating the effectiveness of learning programmes to align with both business objectives and employee development needs.
Technology, such as AI-driven learning tools, is also leveraged. HKJC has introduced a new, user-friendly digital learning platform in early 2024 to help streamline and enrich employees’ learning experiences, boost their engagement, and motivate them to own their learning journey.
By fostering a growth mindset, and offering tailored development programmes and different digital learning tools, the Club equips employees with up-to-date skills and knowledge needed for the future of work, and cultivates a workforce that is adaptable, engaged, and ready to embrace new challenges and opportunities.
Photos / The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)
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