Guide to Human Resources Organizations Education and Training

Train with industry leaders through membership in Human Resources organizations

By D. L. Patrick, Freelance Editor and Writer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Review educational resources available from HR professional associations

A Human Resources association can impact public policy, serve to provide 'best practices' models for newcomers in the profession and offer valuable experience to those who participate in industry specific committees. It's helpful to search by local, national or global HR associations.

I recommend: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), is a national organization with online registration and free demonstrations available for its many training resources. A global professional organization for HR professionals that offers training in personnel development through working with Cranfield School of Management and Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) Flexible learning program in conjunction with the World Federation of Personnel Management Association.

Consider how HR organizations best serve a particular training agenda

There are HR associations that address the specifics of every industry. HR professional associations exists for particular fields such as health care, government, academic or non-profit organizations. Many professions intersect with HR policy association as it relates to their business in particular.

I recommend: International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) is an organization dedicated to advocacy in government affairs. With membership, the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD) offers a variety of journals, in addition to conferences, newsletters and more as an education and training web-based resource for its members. There's a special emphasis in academics on HRD as it relates to current and future Human Resource personnel.

Evaluate the different training methods employed by a HR association

Many professional Human Resources associations go beyond standard group workshops to offer training. Many use technological advancements such as online courses, webinars and podcasts to make training accessible to its members.

I recommend: American Management Association (AMA) provides a broad variety of training methods including seminars, recordable webcasts, podcasts and videos. Employers Association has web-based training courses, in addition to traditional classes for Human Resources certification.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you're a current student, joining human resources professional associations can aid in career development, training with experts in your area of study and invaluable human resource experiences to strengthen credentials for your resume.

Guide to Human Resources Organizations

Human Resources organizations provide educational and networking opportunities for HR professionals

By Kelly Shetsky, Anchor/Reporter

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose Human Resources professional organizations that fit your career path and focus

Human Resources professional associations range from national groups to local chapters. The purpose is to promote ethical HR management practices, facilitate the development of the profession and establish industry standards.

I recommend: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest professional Human Resources association devoted to management of human resources, with close to 600 affiliate chapters throughout the US. SHRM's website allows you to sign up for upcoming conferences and look at past conferences. National Human Resources Association (NHRA) supports HR professionals with programs and services around the country. The NHRA supports you from intern level to executive. Sign up for affiliate events online, such as a conference on maximizing the impact of employee development.

Pay an annual fee to join your peers in HR associations

Human Resources professional organizations charge a range of fees to become a member. The criteria to join HR organizations is relatively loose--you can become a member at any stage in your career, such as partner, Vice President of HR, President, Personnel Assistant, Director of HR, Supervisor, HR Generalist, Specialist or Representative.

I recommend: Join Cleveland Society for Human Resource Management (CSHRM) for a fee up to $200, depending on membership level. Northern California Human Resources Association's (NCHRA) goal is to advance the HR profession and build a strong community of members. NCHRA's annual membership fee activates a web account so members have access to all services. Receive a price break if you sign up for more than a year at a time. Sign up with Human Resources Association of New York (HRNY) and access a number of benefits for a minimal yearly fee.

Expect the benefits of HR professional organizations to be both professional and personal

HR organizations offer you the chance to build a network with diverse HR professionals. You'll exchange thoughts, ideas, experiences and information as you grow as an HR professional. Tangible benefits include the ability to attend workshops, seminars and conferences.

I recommend: Non-profit HR professional associations such as The Human Resource Planning Society (HRPS) represent a balanced membership of small firms, global HR consulting firms and prominent researchers. Join HRPS at the individual or enterprise level. Membership includes forums, workshops, conferences and teleconferences. The Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA) has 3,500 HR professional members. Membership benefits include meetings, conferences and publications. Select the workshops you're interested in on the membership form. Join Colorado Human Resource Association (CHRA) to access to monthly programs, the job center, leadership opportunities and professional development groups.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of associations for human resources by attending workshops regularly to network.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Ethics and sustainability

Ethics and sustainability refer to a distinct field within the human resources discipline. They focus on an individual's or organization's conduct in the area of business decision-making.

I recommend: Get an introduction to this emerging HR field at the Society for Human Resource Management. In particular, you'll learn about codes of ethics and real challenges to them.

Recruitment outsourcing

Recruitment outsourcing happens when you contract with outside HR agencies to hire new employees.

I recommend: Recruitment Enhancement Services takes you through the components of a typical recruitment outsourcing program, such as the people involved, the process of implementing and launching the project, the communication tools and technology that are necessary and, finally, the solutions.

Effective hiring

Effective hiring allows businesses to identify, recruit and hire the most talented individuals and to know how to place them in jobs where they will realize their full potential.

I recommend: HR Village reiterates how crucial a skill effective hiring is to any human resources professional. The focus is on recruiting the most productive employees, commonly referred to as "high performers."

Management development

When human resources professionals talk about management development, they are referring to an individual's capacity to manage companies, employees and projects.

I recommend: Management Help targets the skills necessary for effective management development, taking the subject to the next level in more detailed discussions of supervisorial development and leadership development.

Project management

Project management is based on the theory that effective management of employees follows naturally after effective management of individual projects.

I recommend: Vault offers tips on successful project management for human resources organizations. Find out what specific questions you should be asking, how to set project management steps, define goals and establish checkpoints.

High-motivation human resource program

A high-motivation human resource program refers to a planned strategy designed to help employees perform their best when they are encouraged, rather than forced, to do so.

I recommend: Evan Carmichael spells out the eight basic elements of a high-motivation human resource program, defining each element in terms of staff responsibilities and overall benefits to management. You’ll also find out how to communicate the goals of the program to your employees.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive news about a human resources association through online portals

Certain HR associations publish the latest news regarding their efforts online, which can provide you with instant access. Once you narrow down your search, you can pinpoint what area of the country on which you care to focus. These sites can also direct you to other associations, mainly national ones, if you seek additional information.

I recommend: If you choose to look nationally, then check out the National Human Resources Association and its recent news updates. Look to the Capital Region Human Resources Association if you want a more specialized location.

Subscribe to newsletters or magazines from HR organizations

Some of the nationally-recognized HR professional associations produce publications for their members. These magazines oftentimes include news relevant to the industry as well as information on changes to HR procedures and software. Look to see if you can subscribe to e-newsletter updates sent directly to your e-mail address.

I recommend: HR Magazine, from the Society for Human Resource Management, is a nationally-known, HR professionals magazine that's been in print for 50 years. Check out HRO Today, from Crossing Media, which is a publication that can keep tabs on the ever-evolving HR management associations.

Visit conferences hosted by professional organizations for human resources

Conferences and annual events that are sponsored by HR associations can provide an opportunity to network with other like-minded individuals. You can bounce ideas off each other and learn what is hot within the industry. You can use these events to keep tabs on any changes with associations for human resources.

I recommend: HR Southwest is the largest regional human resources conference in the country. An affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), this conference is held annually in Texas. If you're an HR executive, then consider attending one of several conferences sponsored by Human Resource Executive magazine, from LRP Publications.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Think about signing up directly for e-mail updates from some of the HR organizations. This saves you a step of looking up the information for yourself as well as allowing you to peruse the updates whenever you have the time. You may want to consider, however, using a separate e-mail address than your regular business account because certain e-mail updates may come daily.