LOMA Canada presented Assumption Life, AEGON Canada and Desjardins Financial Security with the 2008 National Corporate Awards for Best Practices in Learning and Development at LOMA Canada’s Annual Conference in Toronto on Thursday.

The awards are dedicated to the memory of Andre Mailhot, who was vp and general manager, human resources, Industrial-Alliance Life Insurance Co.

Rachelle Gagnon, human resources director of Assumption Life, Moncton, N.B. accepted the award in the small company category for Assumptions’s new orientation and training program. All new full time and part time employees at all job levels start this 15 week training program their first day on the job, ensuring they are familiar with the company, the industry, their department and their role in the company.

Fiona Betivoiu, manager, training & development, for AEGON Canada, Toronto, was presented the award in the large company category for AEGON’s competency coach program. The online “coach” guides employees through this original, highly interactive and engaging program which allows all employees to understand how to practice and demonstrate AEGON Canada’s nine personal leadership competencies.

A second, equally effective program was awarded in the large company category to Nicole Lortie, senior director, customer service, individual insurance (Quebec) for Desjardins Financial Security. DFS’s e-learning course on the automation of address changes in its WEBi system was developed to teach the personnel of financial centres how to make accurate address changes, consistent with Canada Post’s standards, helping to ensure that client information is as accurate as possible.

“LOMA Canada is pleased to recognize Assumption Life, AEGON Canada and Desjardins Financial Security with this important national award for their innovative employee training programs which not only ensure that employees retain key business and company information but do so in an engaging, flexible and cost effective manner,” says George Mohacsi, president and CEO of Foresters and chairman of the LOMA Canada Council.