The Life Insurance Institute of Canada (LIIC): A LOMA Institute presented Manulife Financial Corp. and Equitable Life of Canada with the 2005 LIIC Corporate Awards for Best Practices in Learning and Development at its annual conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre today.

“Both of our winners this year have developed exceptional programs that meet important educational needs. Manulife and Equitable appreciate the significance of providing education for employees and advisors,” said Debbie Cole-Gauer, executive director of the LIIC.

“It is apparent these organizations recognize what is needed to enhance the understanding of our business and to sharpen staff leadership skills. Their dedication to lifelong learning also makes a positive contribution to the Canadian insurance industry as a whole, and I congratulate this year’s winners.”

Manulife won in the large company category for its “Independent Advisor Channel Training Services Distribution” program launched in January 2004. This web-based initiative enables independent advisors and their staff to find the training and education they need to stay current, learn about new products, software and technology, to update their sales and marketing skills, and to stay on top of the trends in financial services.

Equitable received the award for the second year running in the small size company category for its Leading and Coaching (Management and Leadership Development) program. The program is a series of modules designed to allow management at all levels of the organization the opportunity to get together as a team to gain knowledge and to develop the skills that impact the key corporate function of leading and coaching staff.

The LIIC, an institute of LOMA, represents a major portion of Canada’s life and health insurance industry, serving the industry education needs of member companies.