Industry experts call for more investments in training and developing people at the 42nd world conference of IFTDO

In the new business order, investing in people is the smartest way to stay ahead. Hence, human resource practitioners and professionals need to ask themselves the question if they are ready to drive the change they wish to see in the world – these views were echoed by S. Ramadorai, Advisor to Prime Minister in the National Council on Skill Development. He was speaking at the 42nd World Conference and Exhibition of the International Federation of Training and Development Organisations (IFTDO) conducted in New Delhi.

He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts by the industry and government towards inclusive growth and said, “India’s growth story is an unrealised potential thanks to its underserved rural market and the opportunity for industry lies in tapping this potential. As human resource practitioners and professionals the question we need to ask ourselves is: Are we ready to drive the change that we wish to see?”

The four-day event, which commenced on April 23 and concluded on April 26, was hosted jointly by IFTDO and the Indian Society of Training and Development (ISTD). Built around the theme of “Capability Building for Cutting Edge Organisations in the New Business Order”, the conference was inaugurated by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee and was attended by distinguished speakers and delegates from across the world.

Arun Maira, Chairman, Conference Advisory Board and Member Planning Commission; B. Prasada Rao, President, IFTDO and Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd and K. Gangadharan, President, ISTD welcomed the audience to leverage the unique opportunity to interact, network and learn from human resource experts from all over the world.

The next three days saw the speakers talk about subjects focusing on changing the rules of management in accordance with the dynamic environments in which organisations operate now. Dr Pritam Singh, Chairman of the Conference Programme Committee and Director General, IMI, created an exhaustive programme that included diverse topics that are of concern to people managers of today. As Dr M.S. Rau, Executive Director, ISTD, said, “The delegates carried away a memorable experience with an enriched knowledge as takeaways.”

Arun Maira concluded the event with his speech in which he stressed upon the need to change the style of leadership – one that does not come from authority, position, power, money etc but from a deep sense of purpose – the true essence of leadership.

deepshikha.thakur@peoplematters.in