CIPD professional standards map gets lukewarm reception from HR

The CIPD’s new professional standards map has received a lukewarm reception from the HR community.

The ‘HR profession map’ is designed to help professionals become equipped with the relevant skills needed for future growth, as well as setting out what careers are available in the profession. It replaces the 200-page book of professional standards and will form the basis of new Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) qualifications aimed at becoming more business-relevant.

But the CIPD qualifications won’t change to reflect the new benchmarks until September 2010, and the standards will be continually reviewed by training providers and employers over the next 17 months.

Clair Dallamore, senior HR adviser at health provider The Priory Group, was concerned the new standards would not help HR become more focused on the bottom line.

“The map is missing a key ingredient in that financial awareness is becoming more important, so we need a better understanding of how HR impacts on finance and vice-versa,” she told Personnel Today.

Susanna Frost, HR director at frozen food provider Esca, warned that the list of behaviours HR practitioners needed to display were unoriginal.

“They’re not particularly innovative, and I think many HR professionals were looking for something specific to the profession,” she said.

But other HR practitioners said the standards were a welcome change. Lucie Walmsley, HR assistant at the GBA group, said: “The map will be good for new people coming into the profession to understand what our role is in organisations.”

Charlotte Andrews, HR manager at software provider Room Solutions, added the list of professional areas were a true representation of HR’s role today.

Sarah Miles, CIPD organisational development director, said: “This is a complete rethink of professional standards, not just a simple face-lift, and that’s not something you can turn around in a short time.”

The HR profession: 10 key areas

1. Strategy, insights and solutions
   
2. Leading and managing the function
   
3. Organisation design
   
4. Resourcing and talent planning
   
5. Organisation development
   
6. Learning and talent development
   
7. Performance and reward
   
8. Employee relations
   
9. Employee engagement
   
10. Information and service delivery

Source: CIPD HR Profession Map