Too often, HR is seen as a ‘soft skill set’, but today’s complex workplaces demand more from HR personnel than ever before.
Catherine Cahill, a workplace relations specialist with Worksense, talks about what individuals can do to better prepare themselves for future HR challenges, as well as the drive to professionalise the industry. According to her, if HR is to continue developing as a profession, there needs to be more movement towards technical skill development, standardised practices and certification for practitioners.
Completely agree with this, absolutely spot on.
I can understand the above and AHRI’s certification program from the perspective of undergraduates without experience or experienced practitioners moving into HR, but I’m wondering what AHRI’s position is on practitioners who currently hold CAHRI status, along with a post-grad qualification in HR and have extensive experience in the field. At this stage of my career, if I had a choice between re-certifying as CAHRI and doing some other professional development, I’d be more likely to pursue the latter. I’d appreciate any advice AHRI can provide.
The requirement for soft skills are a requirement for all employees.
Kind regards,
Adrian Totolos.
Business Analyst.
I would have to say I agree with Andrew. I’m a current CAHRI member with 25 years of HR experience across a variety of industries and in a variety of workplaces of different sizes. I have a couple of Cert IVs and a Diploma but no Degree (shame on me it seems – what HAVE I been doing with my time?). What I do have is intelligence and a raft of wonderful experience in different areas of HR and the ability to translate that into action. I now live and work in regional NSW with next to no exposure to… Read more »
I am in agreement with the concerns of Andrew and Lynden. Whilst I can possibly see the potential for the introduction of the certification, it is a major financial cost that not all employers will be willing to support. Therefore for HR practitioners who have already completed tertiary qualification and possibly postgraduate level education, the cost and time burden of completing this qualification will not be attractive. For me personally I am currently in the late stages of completing an MBA and completing this qualification would only be to tick a box. Whilst the majority of CAHRI level practitioners may… Read more »