The employment outlook for human resource development is fairly strong for the near future. While job growth looks positive now, a lot of it is contingent on the growth and development individual companies. As new companies start up or current companies expand their operations, they’ll need more human resource managers to oversee and run their programs. Here is an overview of this field, including what it entails, and its employment outlook.
What is Human Resource Development?
Human resource development is the coordinated use of organization, training and career development to improve on effectiveness with a group, an individual or an organization. In the same way that companies upgrade their software and hardware to improve production, human resources development works with “human resources” or employees to help them improve performance to reach their full potentials.
They may do this through employee meetings, on-the-job training, online training or one-on-one meetings with management. Their main function is to improve an employee’s ability, performance, and knowledge of his or her job. Any training or education that leads to the employee developing additional skills and knowledge is considered human resources development.
What is the Employment Outlook?
As stated above, the employment outlook for human resource managers does depend a lot on the growth of businesses. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that human resource managers could see an employment growth of nine percent between 2016 and 2026. The BLS also states that those who have master’s degree and/or certifications should see the best career opportunities.
As of March 1, 2018, Salary.com reports that human resource managers earned a median annual salary of $99,201 with those in the lowest ten percent earning $76,390 and the top 90 percent earning $123,033. Education, experience, and location can also play a role in determining wages and job outlook.
Read: Top 50 Best Online Master’s in HR Degree Programs (MSHR)
What is a Human Resource Manager?
A human resource manager is a trained professional who designs, implements and coordinates an organization’s administrative functions. This individual oversees the enlisting, interviewing and hiring of new employees and also acts as an intermediary between the employees and the company’s management. Their duties include the following.
• Coordinating and overseeing employee benefit programs
• Working with an organization’s employee base to make the best use of their talents
• Planning and supervising the work of support staff and specialists
• Handling and mediating disputes and advising disciplinary actions
• Consulting with other managers in regards to human resource issues like sexual harassment or equal employment opportunities
• Motivating and keeping employees by matching them with jobs in which they’re most qualified
• Ensuring that companies adhere to employment laws
U.S. News & World Report states that almost every industry requires the services of human resource managers.
How to Become a Human Resource Manager
To work as a human resource manager, an individual must have a combination of education, training and a few years of work experience. This position can be had with a bachelor’s degree, but many also have master’s degrees. The student will learn about industrial psychology, conflict management, business management and labor relations.
Although certification is not required, there are several agencies that offer certification to those who are interested. U.S. News & World Report reports that degrees in human resource management or development can be earned at many colleges as well as through various online programs.
