Human Resource Management

Management / By

The field of HRM always seems to have a healthy number of employment options, ranging from the strategic consultant to the internal relations officer, making this career a good solid option for those considering a career in this area. So what is the role of the HR Manager?

Human Resource Management is the process of selecting, recruiting and offering initial training and introduction in the workplace to employees and then overseeing the performance of those employees. The HR department also decides the compensation and benefits package to be offered and is responsible for the retainment of those employees though ensuring proper work practices are followed, it also ensures that employees are motivated and are offered adequate training and development within the organisation. They are responsible for the development of the policies to protect the employee such as health and safety, and ensuring these policies are kept in line with or are complaint with labour laws.

There are seven HR basic principles according to experts which are the general remit of the HR department. If you are interested in pursuing a career in HR it is of course important to know what these  are so that you can decide if this is the career for you

  • Recruitment – four stages to consider:
  • Development of the personnel plan: According to the revenue expectations how many personnel can be recruited.
  • Multi-cultural policy development: Policies to promote and protect the ever growing variety of people in the workforce.
  • The Recruitment Drive: Locating the people to fill vacant positions.
  • The Selection process: Selecting the people most suitable for the vacant positions
  • Performance management.
  • This is a structure that enables employees to get feedback on their performance – via processes such as performance reviews – to address possible shortcomings and gain useful insights. 
  • Learning & development.
  • Budget and develop a learning plan which enables employees to bridge skill gaps and develop other beneficial facets of their skill sets.
  • Succession Planning
  • This is the putting in place of contingencies in case of key employees leaving the business. Replacement procedures should be in place with possible candidates already identified if possible.
  • Development of Workplace Policies.
  • Decision on prevalent policies, drawing up of said policies and implementation. Policies such as dress policy, internet policy, health and safety policy, child protection made all come under the remit of the HR department
  • Compensation and benefits.
  • Fair compensation is key in motivating and retaining employees.
  • Human Resources Information Systems.
  • HR data and analytics. It is a continuous process.

There are a number of options in Ireland for anybody wishing to work in the field of HR, or to become a HR manager. We will look here at a number of courses at different levels of entry to suit whatever pathway one might wish to take:

Dun Laoghaire Further Education Institute Further Education and PLC, offers a QQI Level 5, which is a full time one year course. This is a course for people interested in becoming involved in the HR sector or acquiring HR skills for use in their company or current position. Topics covered include the skills of People management, IT knowledge and confidence and employment law.

Students will learn how to operate payroll software, industrial relations issues and resolution. Can be taken as a course to bring you straight into the workforce and also as a step towards a Third Level education qualification.

DFEI Graduates can continue to the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Office Administration and Management or also choose the QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Human Resource Management at DFEI.

Another choice for Graduates would be to apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme to a range of higher certificate and degree programmes such as:

BSc in Human Resource Management with TU Dubin

BA in Human Resource Management with the NCI.

​Leadership and Management Award – HR from Griffin College Dublin.

The Human Resources Units Option in the Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management is ideal for people already working in HR or involved in the recruitment process of an organisation. The course content then focuses on this topic and provides students with an understanding of the basics of recruitment and all its processes.

The ILM accredits the course. The ILM is part of the City and guilds organisation, it is a professional and educational body for managers and is globally recognised.

The course contains three written assignments only, there are no exams and is held for 4 weeks, one evening per week. Progression can be into an advanced City and Guilds/ILM management and leadership programme.

The HR Administrator Diploma from Pitman training focuses around the understanding of HR principals and the development of advanced IT skills. It is suitable for people looking for broad HR role or also people moving into areas such as employment law, training and development or payroll.

Pitman Training also offer a HR assistant Diploma.