Building Your knowledge Better Supports the HR Team and Your Future
A career in Human Resources (HR) offers a lot of diversity and growth because this field covers many detailed areas: hiring, conflict resolution, benefits, people analytics, training and so much more. While some HR jobs are specializations, others are more generalist positions allowing for exposure to many aspects of HR.
Nothing helps support the team (and the trajectory of your career) like adding more training in the areas that aren’t already in the knowledge base of the department. By learning more about some of these different HR areas, you will be proving your value to the organization and will be ensuring the team is ready should needs for this knowledge arise. (Plus, additional education is a resume booster.)
Getting the Expanded Training in HR You Need
But where do you get education in areas like diversity training, Alberta employment law and employment standards and change management certification?
When it comes to Human resources certification in Canada, there are a number of Vancouver area-based post-secondary schools that offer excellent, well-rounded training options. Ashton College is one of the leaders in this area because of the high-calibre, field-trained professionals who deliver the robust HR programs. Many students have excelled in their careers in HR because of their training through Ashton.
Recognizing that HR education is a career-long journey, the school added a number of shorter courses, through the continue education courses area, that bring diversification and advanced knowledge of HR specialties. This has not only helped HR students add to their certification training, but has also allowed others, who haven’t experienced Ashton’s dedicated instructors, to do so on a smaller scale.
Some of these programs include: negotiation training, mediation training, conflict resolution course and BC employment standards, to name a few. Students have appreciated the ability to take their learning in these areas and others back to the organization and make a difference immediately.
Keeping the Knowledge In-house
Because HR is a diverse field, HR managers and other generalists have often had to hire consultants to bring specialized knowledge into the organization when needed. Not only can this be an added expense, it also may represent a missed opportunity. There may be someone who is ready and excited to take on a different challenge and expand their own knowledge. You might feel it’s time to learn about a new part of HR that benefits your team.
If you have the time and ability to take on certain areas that would normally be contracted out, your efforts will be saving the organization money while also making use of the information you already have that a contractor would not, such as understanding specific team structures, previous conflicts and various department interactions. Knowledge of an organization’s inner-workings coupled with new education can make beneficial change happen faster.
Everyone Stays on the Same Page
Many of Ashton College’s HR continuing education courses are focused on helping people adapt to organizational change as well as to become better co-workers and ensure everyone stays on the right side of the provincial employment laws. This emphasis is no accident. The hiring process takes time and a lot of resources, so helping existing employees improve and adapt is much more efficient than bringing in someone new. Organizations know this and seek this kind of support from an education provider.
When HR can help facilitate internal improvement, everyone benefits. The organization is able to keep employees, improve moral and productivity and make sure everyone is working towards the same positive goals.
Human resources is one field where many areas of knowledge come together to help manage people. When generalist knowledge isn’t enough and a deeper dive into certain specializations is necessary, taking a continuing education course can support both your overall career and the organization you work for.
Read our other blog: What Does it Take to Become a Coach?
