AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship

If you are in the early stages of working in or working toward a career in learning, teaching or training the AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship is a fantastic opportunity to support your career and growth*. This scholarship champions the future of learning, development and training across Asia Pacific.  

The winner will receive a fabulous prize including

• a ticket to the AITD Conference 
• a year’s professional membership to AITD
• a mentoring meeting with an AITD Board member to develop a professional development plan including attending AITD courses for free for a year, and;
• $1,000 to support their studies. 

Valued at over $4,500 AUD. 

*To qualify for the AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship: 

• be in the early stages of working in or working toward a career in learning, teaching or training and be currently studying or it has been up to two years since completing your L&D qualifications and/or
• be within two years in your first dedicated learning, teaching or training role with the intention of a career in L&D

To apply, click here: APPLICATION FORM

Entry Requirements

Applications are required to complete an application form that addresses the following questions: 

• What led you to a career in learning, teaching or training?
• How will this scholarship help your career?
• How do you see yourself contributing to L&D?
• If you were a speaker at the next AITD Conference, what would be your message?

In line with previous years, applicants are also required to submit an essay (maximum 1000 words) on a topic outlined below. A panel of judges will assess the essay and it will form the major selection criteria for the 2024 AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship. The winning essay may be published in Training & Development magazine so it can take a journalistic or creative tone.

Opening date: 1 September - 31 October 2024

Topics: National Conversation: AITD Training and Development Magazine 2025

First Quarter: Future-Proofing the Workforce

• Preparing for AI Integration in L&D: Strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into learning and development to future-proof the workforce.
• Emerging Trends in Remote and Hybrid Learning: How remote and hybrid learning models are evolving and their long-term impacts on employee development.
• Building Digital Resilience through Training: Approaches for creating training programs that build digital resilience among employees.
• Upskilling for the Future: Anticipating Industry Changes: Which skills will be most in demand in the coming years and how to prepare employees through targeted training programs.

Second Quarter: Learner-Centred Design

• Design Thinking in L&D: Creating Learner-Centric Experiences: How design thinking can be applied to develop more effective and engaging learning programs.
• Mental Health and Well-being in Professional Development: The importance of incorporating mental health and well-being into training programs.
• Inclusive Design: Making Learning Accessible for All: Best practices for designing training materials that are inclusive and accessible to diverse learners.
• Cultural Competency in Global Training Programs: The importance of cultural competency and how to design training that is relevant across different cultures.

• Third Quarter: Innovations in Learning Technology

• Augmented Reality (AR) for On-the-Job Training: The use of AR in providing immersive, hands-on training experiences in real-time.
• Neurolearning: Applying Neuroscience to Boost Training Effectiveness: Insights on how neuroscience can inform the development of more effective learning strategies.
• The Role of Wearable Technology in Training: How wearable devices can be integrated into training programs to monitor and enhance learning outcomes.
• Leveraging technology for Credentialing and Certification: How technology can be used to enhance the security and credibility of training certifications.

Fourth Quarter: Measuring and Maximising Impact

• The Future of Learning Analytics: Predictive and Prescriptive Insights: The next generation of learning analytics and how they can be used to predict and prescribe learning interventions.
• Sustainability in L&D: Creating Eco-Friendly Training Programs: Ways to design and deliver training programs that are environmentally sustainable.
• ROI of Training Programs: Demonstrating Value to Stakeholders: Methods for measuring the return on investment of training programs and communicating their value to stakeholders.
• Adaptive Learning Technologies: Personalizing the Learning Journey: How adaptive learning technologies can create personalised learning experiences that respond to individual learner needs.

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Tribute to Mark Pompei

The AITD Emerging Professional Scholarship was originally known as the Mark Pompeii scholarship.  Mark was a promising staff development officer at MMI Insurance (now Allianz Australia). At the time of his death in 1991, he was also studying part-time to further improve his skills and enhance his career in training and development.  The scholarship that previously bore his name was established by his colleagues through a dedicated memorial fund administered by AITD, which has since been utilised. We have been honoured to be able to provide support and opportunities for emerging L&D professionals in Mark’s name.

To discuss membership benefits or learn more, click contact us or call on +61 (0)2 9211 9414.