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| Paul Juniper, Queen's IRC Director |
Over the past few years, I've spent a lot of time talking about the future of the HR profession; a future that I think is filled with opportunity and possibility. We've seen tangible progression in the role of the HR function within organizations. Increasingly, the HR function is viewed as a strategic partner, called upon to provide critical advice and concrete guidance. Our role is transforming from transactional to align tactics in support of HR and business strategy, as we strive to best meet the needs of the organizations in which we work. Now that we have earned a seat at the table, we're focusing on complex topics, such as Succession Planning, Talent Management, Linking HR Strategy to Business Strategy, and HR Decision Making.
In my recent article, Beyond the CHRP – Raising the Bar on HR: Insights and Reflections, I gave my perspective that the CHRP designation is not sufficient for HR professionals to excel in their roles. I firmly believe that HR professionals need to continue to develop their skills and knowledge to remain competitive and manage their multifaceted roles. With this in mind, Queen's IRC developed its Advanced HR Certificate. We've launched programs for mid-level HR professionals that target some of their challenges, and enable them to develop their own learning plan to move their careers forward.
I am always interested in hearing what issues keep HR professionals awake at night. I had some wonderful conversations with HR professionals in Toronto at January's HRPA Trade Show. Thank you to all of you who stopped by the Queen's IRC booth to visit with us. I enjoy the opportunity to talk about our profession, how far it has come, and where it is, or should be, heading. This was especially true when I was at the 2012 World Federation of People Management Associations' World HR Congress, held in Melbourne, Australia. It's fascinating to hear how HR concerns diverge, and more often than not converge, on a global scale.
Indeed, Queen's IRC continues to investigate the HR profession in our practitioner-focused research. We recently partnered with the Cave Hill School of Business at the University of the West Indies, Barbados, to conduct a survey that explores the state of the HR profession in the Caribbean. Our Research Team is in the process of analyzing the data, and I look forward to sharing the results with you later this year. We will soon be launching our second survey of Canadian HR professionals, a complement to our 2011 Inquiry into the State of HR in Canada. We would like as many participants as possible in this year's national survey. Please contact our Research Team (ircresearch@queensu.ca) for more information on our practitioner-focused research.
