Feb 14, 2022, 20:47 PM by Barry Lawrence, MBA, aPHR, Staff Writer

Self-paced, on-demand e-learning is now available from HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). Today, the organization announced HRCI upSkill, a revolutionary new way for HR and non-HR professionals to learn about essential people management practices. Each HRCI upSkill will include an assessment component, giving professionals a way to be recognized for mastery of a specific people management topic.

Self-paced, on-demand e-learning is now available from HR Certification Institute^® (HRCI^®). Today, the organization announced HRCI upSkill, a revolutionary new way for HR and non-HR professionals to learn about essential people management practices. Each HRCI upSkill will include an assessment component, giving professionals a way to be recognized for mastery of a specific people management topic.

"HRCI upSkill will help align HR and non-HR talent management practices with team goals and organizational objectives," says HRCI CEO Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE. "This is a powerful way to integrate HR and day-to-day people management."

First up: the HRCI Workforce Analytics upSkill module – compatible with
most mobile devices – to educate and recognize professionals with the skills required to apply workforce and business analytics to generate improved business outcomes.

Think of HRCI upSkill as a micro-credential from HRCI — bite-sized learning and assessment for $229 and $129 for just the assessment component. Credential holders can also complete HRCI upSkill modules for coveted recertification credits.

"HRCI, the preeminent provider of HR certifications for more than 40 years, is responding to the need for affordable, timely and convenient learning and assessment on leading-edge talent management topics," Dufrane adds. "Today’s workforces have more potential than ever before. HRCI upSkill helps global managers unlock the full potential of employees and teams."

Professionals who successfully complete the HRCI Workforce Analytics upSkill demonstrate their abilities to:

• Identify a business problem or opportunity.
• Identify data sources and variables for evaluation.
• Define methodologies and metrics to use for evaluation.
• Gather and analyze data.
• Document and present data findings and recommendations.
• Implement and evaluate recommendations.

Pew Research sees micro-learning opportunities such as HRCI upSkill as a growing force in the education and credentialing ecosystem.

In its report, The Future of Jobs and Jobs Training, Pew sees a world in which "some job preparation functions are performed by formal educational institutions in fairly traditional classroom settings, some elements are offered online, some are created by for-profit firms, some are free, some exploit augmented and virtual reality elements and gaming sensibilities, and a lot of real-time learning takes place in formats that job seekers pursue on their own."

Deloitte, too, sees forces that "are pushing companies to develop new ways to put employees in charge of the learning experience and foster a culture of learning throughout the organization." At the same time, employees now seek more self-directed learning opportunities.

But perhaps the missing link in the emerging training and development ecosystem is helping professionals develop as better people managers. Corporate executives now recognize this deficiency. Company growth not only depends on talent management greatness, but companies are also judged — for better or worse — on people skills.

HRCI upSkill is about powering up people management skills. As a certification organization devoted to the HR profession for more than 40 years, HRCI upSkill is a logical extension for HRCI. Enhancement of people management skills will provide company-wide advantages to businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Talent management is more than an HR mission. It’s a C-suite and line management mission as well — all working better together for people and organizational excellence.