The wide-scoping nature of Human resources’ operations means that HR professionals often assume the role of the Jack of all trades but master of none. This common expression describes an individual who has explored and gained some knowledge in various areas but is not committed to becoming an expert in one particular field.
HR professionals fall into this particular niche due to the diversity and dynamism required to navigate the various aspects of the profession. They must deal with recruitment, employee relations, training and development, compensation, and benefits, among many others. However, the challenge often lies in balancing the required breadth of skills and the need to build in-depth expertise in specific areas.
Most employee respondents in a Lorman survey (59%) have reported that they did not receive any training at their workplace and instead acquired most of their skills through self-education. Additionally, a significant number of workers (74%) are willing to undergo re-training or learn new skills to stay employable.
This article will explore six HR training programs slated to be future-ready by 2023. We will delve into the benefits of these training programs and the challenges that come along with them. We will also identify key skills that HR professionals need to develop through training, highlighting how these will prepare them for the future of the HR industry.
The Importance of HR Training
For HR professionals to be effective and add value to their organizations, they must understand the organization’s goals, culture, and, most importantly, the people within it. This is done through HR training programs and specialized educational courses designed to equip HR professionals with the knowledge, skills, and tools they need to effectively manage employees, attract and retain top talent, and drive business success.
Senior Vice President of the Gartner HR Practice, Jaime Roca, says, “Our research has revealed that employees who work under managers who possess effective coaching skills exhibit a boost of up to 40% in their level of engagement, display almost 38% more voluntary effort and are 20% more inclined to remain with the organization in comparison to those under ineffective coaches.”
The HR landscape has shifted in recent years, with technological advancements and an ever-evolving workforce reshaping the profession. As such, HR professionals need to stay ahead of the curve by constantly developing their skills to meet future challenges. Through this understanding, HR heads and CHROs can tailor HR objectives to meet their organization’s unique needs and challenges.
HR Training Benefits
Training is a crucial aspect of any successful organization. Not only does it equip employees with essential skills and knowledge, but it also provides numerous organizational benefits.
Below are some of the main benefits of HR training initiatives any CHRO can leverage.
Improved Employee Performance: Ineffective performance or lack of adequate training can hinder employees’ potential to fulfill their roles in an organization. HR training provides the essential tools for employees to improve their performance and confidence in their job duties, resulting in increased productivity.
Increased Job Satisfaction: Employees who undergo HR training receive a sense of fulfillment in their work, leading to higher job satisfaction. This is because employees feel valued by their organization, noting that their employer is interested in their professional development.
Improved Employee Retention: Since HR training reduces turnover rates by improving job satisfaction, employees tend to stay longer in an organization. This yields cost savings to an organization, consequently lowering costs used to fill vacancies and train new staff.
Mitigation of Legal Risks: With issues such as discrimination and harassment becoming increasingly prevalent in modern workplaces, HR training is vital to mitigate legal risks for organizations. HR professionals can identify and deal with these issues before they lead to workplace liability.
Consistency in Organizational Culture: HR training assures that all employees receive the same level of training, leading to quality output in work. Employees receive the same consistent messaging through HR training and ensure they are aligned with the organizational culture.
HR Training Challenges
As contemporary business operations become more complex, investing in employee development proves increasingly important. However, HR training is not always a straightforward process, and organizations may encounter several challenges.
Here are some common HR training challenges:
Limited time and resources: Many HR departments need more time and resources to dedicate to training, so they must prioritize the most critical training needs and find creative ways to deliver training efficiently.
Keeping up with new trends and technologies: HR training must keep up with changing technology and industry trends. However, it can be challenging to keep up with these changes while delivering relevant and effective training.
Measuring effectiveness: Measuring the effectiveness of HR training can be challenging, particularly when trying to quantify the impact of soft skills training or other intangible benefits.
Engaging learners: Learner engagement is essential for effective training, but keeping participants engaged and motivated throughout the training can be challenging.
Developing customized training programs: Generic training programs may only be suitable for some employees or industries, and developing customized training can be costly and time-consuming.
Maintaining consistency: Delivering consistent training across departments and locations can also be challenging, particularly for larger organizations with multiple locations.
6 Future-Ready HR Training Programs for 2023
- Administrative HR for Beginners Udemy
Udemy’s Administrative HR for Beginners provides “an introduction to the role and duties of Human Resources (HR),” providing a comprehensive overview of the basics of HR administration and how they fit into the larger HR framework. The course covers various topics, including recruitment, performance management, compensation, and benefits. Learners also interact with the instructor and other students via a Q&A forum.
Udemy’s HR training course is ideal for individuals new to human resources or interested in pursuing a career in HR administration.
Candidates for this course may include:
- Recent graduates who are seeking to build and develop fundamental HR skills
- Those who are switching to a career in human resources from a different field
- Managers or supervisors who are new to HR responsibilities
- Small business owners or entrepreneurs who want to learn how to manage HR processes effectively
- Entry-level HR professionals who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills base
The course covers various essential HR concepts and practices, including HR management, recruitment and selection, compensation and benefits, employee relations, and HR policies and procedures.
By completing this course, individuals will have a strong foundation in HR administration, enabling them to effectively manage HR processes, ensure compliance with employment laws and regulations, and contribute to the overall success of their organization.
- Coursera
The Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers Specialization is a comprehensive program offered by Coursera. The course provides a flexible self-paced schedule, allowing students to complete it within an estimated six months.
Over 124,000 students have already enrolled in this comprehensive specialization comprising five engaging modules. The instructors leading this course are skilled and knowledgeable, with six specializing in different aspects of the curriculum.
While free enrollment is free, a $49 monthly fee is required for certification. However, financial aid is available, and a trial period of seven days is also offered.
This course is ideal for individuals who want to build strong HR skills and learn how to manage human resources effectively.
Ideal candidates for this course may include:
- Individuals who are new to HR or want to enhance their HR skills
- Managers or supervisors who have HR responsibilities
- Entrepreneurs or business owners who want to learn how to manage their employees effectively
- Entry-level HR professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of HR functions
Similarly, the Preparing to Manage Human Resources course, also offered by Coursera, is designed to equip learners with essential skills and knowledge to develop and manage employees in modern organizations.
The course suits current and aspiring managers, HR professionals, and individuals interested in human resource management.
The course comprises four modules covering job analysis, recruitment and selection, performance management, and employee training and development.
The course also covers important legal and ethical issues related to human resource management, including equal employment opportunity, occupational health and safety, and employee privacy.
Candidates for this course may include:
- Individuals who are new to HR or want to enhance their HR skills
- Managers or supervisors who have HR responsibilities
- Entrepreneurs or business owners who want to learn how to manage their employees effectively
- Entry-level HR professionals who want to gain a deeper understanding of HR functions
- Future Learn
Future Learn provides a range of comprehensive and flexible HR training programs suitable for all levels of learners. These courses cover various topics, from basics to advanced, in the HR field.
Among the selection of HR courses available via Future Learn are:
- Recruitment, Selection, and Induction: The Basics
- Inclusive Management and Leadership Skills
- International Human Resource Management: An Introduction
- Human Resources: Hiring and Managing Talent in the 21st Century
- Managing People: Engaging Your Workforce
- Human Resource Management: HR for People Managers
- Future of Human Resource Management
- Project Management: Human Resources and Leadership
These courses are designed, created, and delivered by reputable institutions such as the University of California, Riverside, RMIT University, and Coventry University. They are structured to accommodate diverse learning preferences and schedules, with an average completion time of one to ten weeks.
You can access some of these courses for free with limited access to course materials and without certification. However, to gain full access to course materials and obtain certification, you must pay a monthly subscription with numerous benefits.
Here are some ideal candidates for Future Learn’s HR training programs:
- HR professionals looking to advance their knowledge and skills in the field.
- New HR hires who need to develop a foundational understanding of HR practices and policies.
- Business owners or managers who want to become more knowledgeable about HR functions and how they impact their organization.
- Individuals interested in transitioning into a career in HR.
- Professionals in other fields who want to gain a better understanding of HR practices to enhance their job performance.
- Human Resource Management students looking to gain practical skills and experience alongside their studies.
- Wharton’s HR Management and Analytics: Unlock the Value of Human Capital
Wharton’s HR Management and Analytics program offers practical, real-world training in HR and analytics to help HR professionals tackle complex challenges. Participants will learn fundamental HR principles such as recruitment, retention, performance management, and creating a work culture of inclusion and diversity.
The program focuses on HR analytics to aid decision-making for talent management solutions, and its approach to organizational design is essential for recruiting top talent. Participants will gain insight into organizational structure, job analysis, and job design to attract and retain talented employees resulting in improved productivity and greater success.
Ideal candidates for Wharton’s HR Management and Analytics training program include:
- HR professionals who want to stay current with the latest HR trends and best practices.
- Those who want to learn how to leverage data to make better HR decisions.
- Mid- to senior-level managers who want to improve their HR-related decision-making skills.
- Those interested in exploring the intersection of HR and data analytics.
- Society for Human Resource Management Certification (SHRM)
The Society for Human Resource Management Certification (SHRM) is the world’s leading credential in the HR profession, recognized globally for its relevance, rigor, and recognition.
The SHRM certification program tests professionals’ HR knowledge and skills through an examination process that covers the key areas of HR management, such as people, organization, workplace, and strategy.
Two levels of certification cater to professionals at different career stages – The SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) for early to mid-career level HR professionals and the SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional) for mid to senior-level HR professionals. SHRM certification provides increased employment and advancement opportunities and demonstrates a commitment to the HR profession and adherence to global standards.
Below are some potential candidates who would be well-suited for the SHRM training course:
- HR professionals who want to advance their careers and showcase their expertise in the field.
- Individuals who want to deepen their HR knowledge and keep up with the latest trends and practices.
- Business owners or managers who want to learn best practices for managing human capital.
- Students or recent graduates who want to demonstrate their commitment to a career in HR.
- HR professionals who want to network with other industry experts and gain access to exclusive resources.
With the SHRM Certification, HR professionals are empowered with practical skills to implement effective HR strategies and broaden their knowledge base to advance their career goals in the HR field.
- Diploma in HR by Alison
The Diploma in HR by Alison is a comprehensive program designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and develop employees.
The training program covers seven modules that provide a comprehensive understanding of HR-related topics, including recruitment, employee training and development, performance management, and employment law.
Alison is one of the world’s leading online learning platforms and has educated hundreds of thousands of students globally, with more than 250,000 learners enrolling in this course alone.
The course is designed for those interested in pursuing a career in HR, HR professionals aiming to enhance their skills, and individuals looking to understand the HR function better. The course is self-paced, and there are no prerequisites to enroll.
The Diploma in HR by Alison is best suited for the following:
- Fresh graduates who want to pursue a career in HR
- Working professionals who want to switch to a career in HR
- Current HR professionals who wish to upskill and improve their knowledge and expertise
- Individuals who want to understand the HR function and how it contributes to the success of any organization.
The diploma aims to provide learners with the fundamental concepts, knowledge, and skills needed to manage people in the workplace. So, if you are looking to explore new opportunities, advance your career, or gain a better understanding of HR, the Diploma in HR by Alison is a great place to start.
Mastering HR’s Niche Fields: Which Key Skills to Develop Through Training
HR professionals play a crucial role in the success of any organization. They can be categorized as either generalists or specialists. While generalists focus on managing day-to-day HR operations, specialists work in more niche areas such as recruitment, compensation and benefits, and employee relations. As a result, the skills required to excel in HR will vary depending on the specific field you choose to specialize in.
It’s worth noting that HR operations will be uniquely different for each organization and will reflect the bespoke objectives of that specific organization. HR professionals will need to be adaptable and responsive to their organization’s specific requirements while still keeping up with the demands of their chosen HR field.
Whether you’re a recruitment specialist or a training and development professional, the key to mastering your niche HR field is developing the right skills.
Below are seven key HR skills to develop through training:
Onboarding Employees: Integrating new employees into the organization is essential for their success and engagement. HR professionals need to be skilled in creating effective onboarding programs that provide information on company culture, job expectations, and proper training.
Employee/Industrial Relations: HR professionals need to manage relations between employees and management and also ensure compliance with labor laws and regulations. They should be able to handle employee grievances, disciplinary actions, and disputes arising between the organization and employees.
Performance Management: Skillful performance management is essential to ensure that employees are consistently delivering their best. HR professionals need to develop skills in setting expectations, providing feedback, and conducting performance evaluations. Training programs can help HR professionals master techniques to assess and analyze employee performance and communicate and implement performance improvement plans.
Time Management: Time management is crucial for HR professionals, given the multi-faceted nature of their job. Skills in prioritizing tasks, organizing schedules, and adhering to deadlines are essential to managing HR tasks alongside other organizational duties effectively.
HR Technology: The HR profession has evolved with technology in recent years. Savvy HR professionals should be well-versed in HR technologies such as HRIS, ATS, and performance management software. Training on HR technologies can assist HR professionals in understanding and effectively implementing these critical tools.
Workplace Collaboration: HR professionals must be skilled in fostering collaboration among employees, management, and other stakeholders for a harmonious working environment. By developing collaboration skills, HR professionals can create an inclusive workplace, encouraging creativity, innovation, and productivity.
Compliance and Legal Issues: Maintaining a constantly changing set of labor laws and regulations is essential. HR professionals need comprehensive knowledge of employment laws and regulations, such as anti-discrimination and equal opportunity laws, to avoid compliance issues. Additionally, HR professionals should be able to identify potential areas of legal exposure and implement policies and procedures to mitigate legal risk.
Turn HR Training Into Long-Term Talent Retention
Given the diverse nature of HR specialties, it’s no surprise that the training required to excel in these fields will also differ significantly. It is, therefore, essential for professionals in HR to master the right skills that will enable them to succeed in their chosen niche.
According to research conducted by Allegis Group, a staggering 83% of executives among 1,400 surveyed employers believe that attracting and retaining top talent is a prominent concern for their organization. Furthermore, 80% of these companies have identified the quality of applicants as a challenge in their workforce strategy, with 40% revealing that it represents a significant issue.
HR professionals need to develop these key skills to handle their role’s diverse and challenging aspects, and training programs provide an invaluable opportunity to develop these skills continually.
From the perspective of a CHRO, HR training programs tailored to employee needs and interests can positively impact job satisfaction and long-term retention. By aligning training initiatives with the company’s overall goals, HR training can create a supportive learning environment that promotes career development and growth opportunities.
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