HR certification

No longer can anyone do HR

McKinsey and Conference Board research reveals that human capital is the number one issue for CEOs. Yet the same CEOs rank the HR function as only the seventh or eighth most important function in their business. That gap is telling us that CEOs are not confident their HR function is the answer to their human capital imperative.

The history which resulted in this malaise is the fact that, until recently, anyone could claim to practise HR and wear the HR label.

That has now changed.

Candidates who successfully complete the postgraduate-level AHRI Practising Certification Program (APC) are now proposed to the National Certification Council for induction as certified HR practitioners. Once certified, they are entitled to carry the post-nominal CPHR or FCPHR, and AHRI confidently assures employers of their human capital capability.

Getting HR certified

Experienced HR practitioners and academics can achieve HR certification through one of four different pathways, depending on your HR experience, skills and capability, or your academic contribution to the HR discipline.

Certification pathways for:

Mid to senior HR practitioner/ consultant

Pathway 1: AHRI Practising Certification Program
Senior to executive HR practitioner/ consultant

Pathway 2: Senior Leaders Pathway
CIPD Chartered member / IHRP Certified Professional

Pathway 3: CIPD Reciprocity or IHRP Mutual Recognition
HR academic

Pathway 4: Academic Pathway

"Having moved away from an HR-only focused role to a COO, some have asked me, "why did I still pursue certification with AHRI?"

My answer to that was simple: as a leader, I have the privilege and responsibility to ensure each person in the business is happy and productive.

Certification has given me not only the certainty, but also the capability and knowledge to make this happen - and this is only the start of the learning and innovation. This is what being certified means to me, and more importantly, to the people in my business."

- Marc Havercroft FCPHR, SuccessFactors Australia