Leading Change Through Learning and Development

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Who are the more than 5,000 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community: Thinh Trieu is a Sustainability ESG and Communications Manager. He earned the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) credential in 2021.

Who are the more than 5,000 talent development professionals who have earned the APTD or CPTD credential? Get to know the talented and diverse community:

Thinh Trieu is a Sustainability ESG and Communications Manager. He earned the Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD®) credential in 2021.

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Why did you pursue the APTD/CPTD? I pursued the APTD because I work in the HR field with a strong focus on talent development for a large retailer with more than 60,000 employees. In this environment, developing people at scale requires not only experience, but also a solid, internationally recognized framework for learning and development.

Why did you pursue the APTD/CPTD?
I pursued the APTD because I work in the HR field with a strong focus on talent development for a large retailer with more than 60,000 employees. In this environment, developing people at scale requires not only experience, but also a solid, internationally recognized framework for learning and development.

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The APTD equips me with the full set of capabilities, knowledge, skills, and best practices needed to design, implement, and evaluate effective talent development strategies. It helps ensure that learning initiatives are aligned with business goals, measurable in impact, and scalable across a complex organization.

The APTD equips me with the full set of capabilities, knowledge, skills, and best practices needed to design, implement, and evaluate effective talent development strategies. It helps ensure that learning initiatives are aligned with business goals, measurable in impact, and scalable across a complex organization.

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Most importantly, the certification strengthens my ability to build organizational capability, enhance workforce performance, and support long-term company competitiveness in a fast-changing retail environment.

Most importantly, the certification strengthens my ability to build organizational capability, enhance workforce performance, and support long-term company competitiveness in a fast-changing retail environment.

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How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally? Professionally, the APTD credential has significantly strengthened how I approach capability building and behavior change in a large organization. At the moment, as an ESG & Sustainability Communications Manager at MWG, I work to translate sustainability strategy into practical actions for a workforce of more than 60,000 employees. The APTD has enabled me to move beyond awareness-based communication toward structured, learning-driven interventions grounded in global best practices in talent development.

How have you benefited from the credential—professionally and/or personally?
Professionally, the APTD credential has significantly strengthened how I approach capability building and behavior change in a large organization. At the moment, as an ESG & Sustainability Communications Manager at MWG, I work to translate sustainability strategy into practical actions for a workforce of more than 60,000 employees. The APTD has enabled me to move beyond awareness-based communication toward structured, learning-driven interventions grounded in global best practices in talent development.

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In addition, the certification has provided me with distinct professional recognition. I am among a small number of professionals in Vietnam who are familiar with and have earned the APTD credential, which is still relatively new and not widely adopted in the local market. This gives me a clear professional advantage, particularly when working with senior leaders, HR, and international partners, as it signals both technical credibility and alignment with global talent development standards.

In addition, the certification has provided me with distinct professional recognition. I am among a small number of professionals in Vietnam who are familiar with and have earned the APTD credential, which is still relatively new and not widely adopted in the local market. This gives me a clear professional advantage, particularly when working with senior leaders, HR, and international partners, as it signals both technical credibility and alignment with global talent development standards.

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What advice would you share with others considering certification? Pursue certification with a clear purpose, not just for the credential. The real value comes from applying the framework directly to your day-to-day work and business challenges. Treat the journey as a chance to build discipline and think more systematically about performance and learning, not simply to pass an exam.

What advice would you share with others considering certification?
Pursue certification with a clear purpose, not just for the credential. The real value comes from applying the framework directly to your day-to-day work and business challenges. Treat the journey as a chance to build discipline and think more systematically about performance and learning, not simply to pass an exam.

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Especially in emerging markets like Vietnam, earning a global certification early can create meaningful differentiation, strengthen credibility, and open opportunities to connect global best practices with local execution

Especially in emerging markets like Vietnam, earning a global certification early can create meaningful differentiation, strengthen credibility, and open opportunities to connect global best practices with local execution

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How do you think certification helps the talent development field? Certification helps professionalize the talent development field by establishing common standards, language, and ethical practice. It ensures practitioners are grounded in evidence-based methods rather than ad-hoc training approaches. Over time, this strengthens credibility with business leaders, improves the quality and consistency of learning solutions, and elevates talent development as a strategic function rather than a support activity.

How do you think certification helps the talent development field?
Certification helps professionalize the talent development field by establishing common standards, language, and ethical practice. It ensures practitioners are grounded in evidence-based methods rather than ad-hoc training approaches. Over time, this strengthens credibility with business leaders, improves the quality and consistency of learning solutions, and elevates talent development as a strategic function rather than a support activity.

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How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential? My employer was very supportive of my pursuit of the credential. My manager was open to learning and strongly encouraged me to invest in professional development. This support created the space for me to study seriously, apply new knowledge to my work, and view the certification as part of my long-term contribution to the organization.

How did your employer support your pursuit of the credential?
My employer was very supportive of my pursuit of the credential. My manager was open to learning and strongly encouraged me to invest in professional development. This support created the space for me to study seriously, apply new knowledge to my work, and view the certification as part of my long-term contribution to the organization.

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What does having your credential mean to you? Having this credential represents a meaningful benchmark for self-assessment and a commitment to lifelong learning. It allows me to measure my capabilities against global standards, identify gaps, and continuously improve my practice. More than an achievement, it serves as a reference point that keeps me accountable to ongoing learning, professional growth, and delivering higher impact over time.

What does having your credential mean to you?
Having this credential represents a meaningful benchmark for self-assessment and a commitment to lifelong learning. It allows me to measure my capabilities against global standards, identify gaps, and continuously improve my practice. More than an achievement, it serves as a reference point that keeps me accountable to ongoing learning, professional growth, and delivering higher impact over time.

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How did you get into the talent development field? I entered the talent development field at the start of my career after graduating in HR management from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. My academic background gave me a strong foundation in people management and organizational development, which naturally led me toward learning, capability building, and long-term talent development.

How did you get into the talent development field?
I entered the talent development field at the start of my career after graduating in HR management from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia. My academic background gave me a strong foundation in people management and organizational development, which naturally led me toward learning, capability building, and long-term talent development.

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What is the best advice you’ve ever received? “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

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This advice has guided how I approach my work and personal development by focusing on taking responsibility, leading by example, and translating values into action rather than waiting for change to happen.

This advice has guided how I approach my work and personal development by focusing on taking responsibility, leading by example, and translating values into action rather than waiting for change to happen.

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What is a great book you’ve read recently? Misbehaving

What is a great book you’ve read recently?
Misbehaving

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What is your favorite hobby or pastime? Reading

What is your favorite hobby or pastime?
Reading

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What is the most unusual job you've had? Part-time Job at a Costume Warehouse in Melbourne

What is the most unusual job you've had?
Part-time Job at a Costume Warehouse in Melbourne