Systemic learning has become part of the DNA of the ACE group of companies thanks to director of global training and development Edmina Bradshaw.

Two years into the newly created position, Ms Bradshaw is spearheading several new initiatives intended to enhance the performance of ACE's 8,000 employees in 50 countries around the globe.

And her move away from the episodic approach to the systemic approach is making a big splash in the training arena and she has been asked to speak at several professional conferences on her new programme.

Ms Bradshaw's mandate is to develop a comprehensive programme that establishes an environment of professional excellence and systemically aligns the company's business objectives with employee growth and development.

"A lot of the work is groundbreaking in how we focus the development," said Ms Bradshaw speaking with The Royal Gazette this week.

And a key point of how the development is focused is on tying training initiatives to business outcomes.

An example of this is a new training initiative in which individuals from across the organisation come together to solve a business challenge in an unfamiliar country with unfamiliar colleagues.

Four of these problem solving courses have been held, the most recent in Tokyo.

Ms Bradshaw says the courses enable employees to live and work in a culture that is different from where they are from which contributes to the richness of the experience.

It is also an opportunity to meet clients and partners in the market.

"The focus is on business outcomes which is there throughout all global training and development," said Ms Bradshaw.

Ms Bradshaw is also in the testing phase of a virtual corporate learning centre which she described as: "A learning portal which traverses the global organisation and which every employee can access." The portal will eventually enable employees to study for further qualifications such as the CPCU whenever they wish.

"It is more of a pull than a push," said Ms Bradshaw about ACE's training initiatives. She said ACE provides the opportunities to make everyone in the company a leader, whether they are trainees or executive officers. Ms Bradshaw explained that employees at all levels benefit from leadership skills with the theory that every one has the opportunity to influence the perception of ACE.

As part of ACE's new training initiatives, the company, in conjunction with the John R. Cox/ACE Chair in Insurance and Risk management at St. John's University will present Concept Meets Practice at the Bermuda College from 9.30 a.m. to 12 p.m.