Congratulations to McConnell Dowell Learning and Development Manager Anand Naidu, who was awarded Runner Up in the Practitioner of the Year category at last night’s NZATD Awards.

Second place was a significant achievement given the huge number of entries in this category. The award acknowledged Anand’s “broad range of skills: strategy, coaching, mentoring, leadership, design skills [and] assessment.”

The judges particularly noted the significance of establishing McConnell Dowell’s in-house Private Training Enterprise - the first in the construction industry – which Anand has been responsible for implementing and running.

“We acknowledge that establishing a PTE for his employer which links to accredited training is a tremendous achievement” they said.

After just 12 months of operation, the PTE received an ‘excellent’ rating in its first NZQA Audit.

The judges were also impressed by Anand’s personal contribution to the community, for which he received a Queens Service Medal in 2013.

Anand has worked as an L&D professional for over 30 years in a variety of roles including secondary and tertiary School Teacher, Information Technology Trainer, Lecturer, Webmaster, Senior Trainer, Community Education Tutor, People Capability Manager, OD/L&D Advisor, Assessor/Moderator, Qualification Developer and L&D Manager. He actively contributes to the Learning and Development industry by delivering conference presentations, and taking an active part in a number of groups and associations.

Anand demonstrates a strong work ethic, maintains a high level of personal integrity, and focuses on relationship building and facilitating achievement though learning. He has also been instrumental in transitioning the culture within McConnell Dowell from a ‘training’ focus to one of ‘learning and development’.

“This is an outstanding achievement and deserving recognition of Anand for what he has achieved in getting our PTE to where it is today,” says New Zealand and Pacific Islands Managing Director Roger McRae. “It is also due recognition of Anand’s service to the training industry - we are proud of his achievement and standing in the industry.”