Human resources development practitioners generally assist line management with the identification and solving of performance problems of individual employees, work groups or organisational processes. The assistance offered by HRD practitioners is applicable to all performance problems, regardless of whether this is encountered in industrial, commercial or government organisations.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
Performance problems are typically addressed through the use of specific HRD interventions (a term used to describe any activity introduced to replace or to complement existing business or organisational activities, with the objective of improving or changing the end results). These HRD interventions could range from performance counselling and the presentation of training courses, to the implementation of major organisation development programmes.
Practitioners meet regularly with management to analyse and review performance problems, and the contexts in which they occur, with the explicit objective of determining the demands (or requirements) of those situations that need corrective action/require intervention.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
Adaptability, tact and the ability to act appropriately (with diplomacy and empathy) in difficult and demanding situations are important attributes.
Language proficiency, preferably in more than one language is very important.
What kind of school training do I need?
No specific minimum entry qualification is required as various training options/courses, on different levels, are available. A Senior Certificate is a prerequisite to enter and complete a National Diploma in Personnel Management, while a Senior Certificate with matric exemption is required for a B.A., B.Admin. or B.Com. university degree.
What further training do I need?
University
The B.A., B.Admin. and B.Com. courses could be followed at any university in South Africa. For those people possessing a B.A. degree and wishing to further specialise, the Rand Afrikaans University offers a two-year Honours Degree in Human Resource Development (HRD), on a part-time or distance education basis. For those with a three-year tertiary education, the Rand Afrikaans University offers a Diploma in HRD on a part-time or distance education basis. The focus of the Honours Degree in HRD is clearly on the development of top level practitioners, to enable them to face up to the HRD challenges of the future.
Technikon
The National Diploma in Personnel Management is a three-year full-time course and is presented at all technikons in South Africa – with exception of the Setlogelo Technikon.
In addition to these programmes, professional training for training officers (HRD practitioners) is offered by the Institute of Personnel Management (IPM) on a correspondence basis. This programme, leading to the Diploma in Personnel Management, is three years in duration.
Some of the more salient features of this Diploma in Personnel Management are the following: Training Management is one of the compulsory majors, and an opportunity for exposure to the practical side of training, to be conducted within the workplace, is incorporated.
The IPM Training Department, in addition, offers a short course in Training Technology that stretches over a six month period, with the attendance of training sessions limited to two days per month.
Government Departments, which provide numerous opportunities for HRD practitioners stipulate the following requirements:
Where can I work?
HRD practitioners are employed in every organisation and institution throughout the country. HRD practitioners are employed by industry, commerce, mines, all levels of government for example municipalities, and non-governmental organisations (NGO’s).
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
HRD practitioners with substantial skills and experience find adequate opportunity for self-employment, as independent consultants or training providers.
Where can I get further information?