Over the past year, Certified Mail has reported on several proposed additions to the HRCI certification offerings. Here’s the latest information on each.
Certification for China
As was reported last June, SHRM conducted market research to assess international growth opportunities in China and India. The research results revealed an opportunity to enhance the HR profession in China through professional education and certification. While initial plans were to develop a specific certification for HR professionals in China, subsequent information and discussions with China’s Ministry of Personnel (MOP) revealed that this was probably not the best market entry strategy. MOP is looking to create its own national HR certification, and HRCI may be called on to share its experience with certification. Further, SHRM signed a letter of intent with the Ministry to continue conversations on cooperating to exchange delegations between our countries, conduct joint research and further professionalize HR.
SHRM and HRCI plan to offer the GPHR along with the SHRM Global Learning System as a bundled product to multinational companies in China. SHRM has created a China HR Generalist certificate program that will begin being offered in China this year.
Administrative-Level Certification
Based on extensive focus groups and discussions, input from the SHRM Membership Advisory Council and discussions by the HRCI Board, HRCI has concluded that there is not enough consensus and support to develop a certification for nonexempt-level HR employees. While quality ground work was completed, the HRCI Board of Directors does not plan to move forward with this certification at this time.
Strategic Business Competencies Certification
HRCI is still researching how best to measure mastery of strategic business competencies needed by senior-level HR professionals. One possibility under consideration is an additional certification complementing the SPHR. Another consideration being discussed is an optional, add-on focus to the SPHR. The need to measure mastery of these competencies has been established, and HRCI leaders continue to carefully consider related concerns and options.
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