Gawad Maestro Awards
The PSTD Gawad Maestro Awards is a prestigious recognition established by the Philippine Society for Talent Development (PSTD), a non-stock, non-profit organization, dedicated to the advancement of growth and pursuit of excellence of talent development professionals across various sectors, including business, industry, government, academe, and NGOs.
From its inaugural ceremony at the Grand Ballroom of the Manila Diamond Hotel in 2011 to the most recent Awards held at the Boracay Newcoast Convention Center, the Gawad Maestro Awards has become the “Oscars” of the L&D industry in the Philippines. Throughout the years, it has honored exemplary individuals and organizations, including prominent figures in both public and private sectors as well as in.
Be the next Gawad Maestro awardee and inspire the future of talent development.
Who are Eligible to Vie
To be eligible to apply in any of the Gawad Maestro Award Categories, an organization or individual must meet the following minimum requirements:
Learning & Development Manager of the Year
Three (3) Years as a Full-time L&D Manager
Learning & Development Professional of the Year
Three (3) Years Full-time L&D background
Learning & Development Organization of the Year
2 trainers and Five (5) years in the business
Outsourced Learning & Development Organization of the Year
Fifteen (15) workforce (Consultants and employees) and Five (5) years in the business
Learning & Development Program of the Year
At least two cycles
Organizations and individuals affiliated with the current PSTD Board and Gawad Maestro Awards Committee are ineligible to apply to this year’s GM Awards.
Here are the categories for the 2024 awards.
Gawad Maestro Leader Extraordinaire
The recipient of this award is a true visionary who has conceptually and fundamentally championed advancement of the L&D practice. We aim to recognize an exceptional Learning & Development leader who has been a catalyst of change and influenced a significant and revolutionary shift in the Learning and Development landscape.
40% – Excellence evident from L&D initiatives the individual championed for his/her organization and for his/her industry
30% – Direct impact on the L&D mission of innovation, commitment, and excellence seen through the individuals and organizations he/she had been a part of
30% – Acknowledgment of and recognition as a strategic differentiator that has effectively and positively influenced/impacted organizations or the industry
Learning & Development Manager of the Year
This award aims to recognize a Learning & Development Manager who has championed/succeeded at building a strong learning culture in their workplace and has made significant strategic/effective contributions in the growth, development, and success of the organization’s human capital.
40% – Evident positive results seen from performance improvement (as evidenced by L1 to L4 Evaluation Documentations) through learning and performance interventions
25% – Champions and relentlessly pursues innovation and internal process improvement
20% – Evident strong customer focus/orientation, champions collaboration, and has established partnerships with the different business units manifested through support from peers, colleagues or business leaders
15% – Evident leadership and management in growth, and development of direct reports
Learning & Development Professional of the Year
This award aims to recognize an individual who has showcased outstanding skills and high level of proficiency in Learning & Development as seen in the programs/ interventions implemented to meet the business needs.
50% – Evident positive business results/operational impact through successful learning interventions
30% – Evident optimization of multiple learning methodologies that demonstrates strong inclusion and consideration of different learner styles
20% – Evident excellence in training conduct through consistent positive feedback
Learning & Development Organization of the Year
This award aims to recognize an organization who has achieved business performance excellence by championing their Learning & Development programs as a strategic driver to achieve business goals. They have successfully implemented Learning & Development program/s and have effectively embedded a strong learning culture in their workplace through the support of their senior leadership team.
40% – Learning and Development is evident in the organization’s over-all strategy (e.g., Robustness of the L&D framework and strategies in the organization)
40% – Positive business results ascribed to L&D initiatives
20% – Evident high learning engagement rate for employees
Outsourced Learning & Development Organization of the Year
This award is given to an external provider that has enabled and provided excellent, innovative and impactful Learning & Development programs or learning solutions to various organizations resulting to successfully addressed pressing capability development gaps in their clients’ organizations.
40% – Proven Client Satisfaction
40% – Positive results on the client business: Evident performance improvement and business impact
20% – Differentiating practice that adds value to clients
Learning & Development Program of the Year
This award is given to an organization that has successfully implemented an innovative Learning & Development program by pushing boundaries on ways of engaging learners and has overcome the challenges of the new ways of working in 2023.
40% – Excellence evident from Learning & Development initiatives and program/s championed by the organization
20% – Positive internal/external client feedback
30% – Financial contribution and/or organizational impact
Gawad Maestro Awardees will receive the following
Customized Gawad Maestro Awards Trophy
One-year membership to PSTD
Complimentary registration to the PSTD National Convention
Complimentary pass to Certification Program
Recognition on PSTD website
Opportunities to contribute to the field (blog, whitepaper, research, and other volunteer opportunity)
Will be featured in PSTD Marketing/Campaigns (e.g. blogs, videos, podcasts,
Will be featured in PSTD Journals or publications (e.g whitepaper, research, and other volunteer opportunity)