(Oklahoma City, OK) – American Fidelity Assurance Company (AFA) is once again on the Training Magazine Top 125 list, up 18 spots to No. 43 this year. This is the fifth consecutive year that AFA has been included on the list that recognizes companies that provide excellent training and development programs.

This year, one of AFA's career development initiatives was singled out by the magazine.

In its application for the Top 125, AFA pointed out that one-on-one coaching is offered for improving written and oral communication skills, and employees who need help in the basics are referred to local colleges for additional skill building. Recent coaching efforts focused on improving the voice and diction of entry-level workers to enhance their advancement opportunities. A "Voice and Diction" class was held one hour a week for eight weeks and served as a practical approach to improving articulation and enunciation.

"We are so fortunate to work for a company like American Fidelity Assurance that recognizes the value of continuous improvement and sets that as an expectation for its Colleagues," said Bev Wood, Training and Career Development Manager. "In doing so, we are able to offer a myriad of learning opportunities: computer training, industry-related education, personal development programs, customer service training and leadership."

Training magazine's annual awards program recognizes employer-sponsored training and development. The judging is based on elements such as corporate universities, evaluation procedures and internal best practices. Companies are then ranked accordingly.

According to the magazine's Web site, "this year's applications were the most comprehensive yet, chock full of details on innovative programs, continued progress, measurable results and best practices."

About American Fidelity Assurance Company
American Fidelity Assurance Company is a third-generation, family-owned organization providing insurance products and financial services to education employees, trade association members and companies throughout the United States and across the globe. Founded in 1960, it has grown to become one of the largest private, family-owned life and health insurance companies in the United States. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, American Fidelity has more than 1,500 employees in 26 locations across the nation. It was named to Fortune magazine's 2008 list of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for the fifth straight year and also is on Computerworld magazine's list of the "Best Places to Work in IT." In addition, it has been ranked by Training Magazine as one of the Top 125 Companies in America for employee training. Since 1982, American Fidelity has been rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, one of the nation's leading insurance rating services.