Dive Brief:

• Employers are looking for HR professionals with certifications, new research shows. The study, published by Dow Jones Customer Intelligence in collaboration with HR Certification Institute (HRCI), says that 70% of business executives believe having a human resource department made up of all certified HR professionals would benefit their company.
• In addition, 83% of respondents said they regard their HR team as a strategic and valuable partner. Top management continues to push for greater strategic value from HR programs and initiatives. The C-suite ranks "talent strategy and employee engagement" as one of the top five concerns for companies, with 95% executives surveyed noting that hiring and retaining the right talent directly affects a company’s bottom line.
• In response, HRCI has developed group certification packages for HR teams.

Dive Insight:

The image of the HR department has been shifting from a compliance-based drain on resources, to its rightful place – in the boardroom. With talent acquisition and retention a priority, HR deserves a place as a strategic planning partner. Human capital can be the largest asset any company holds, but also its largest exposure to risk.

With more companies outsourcing compliance-based HR tasks, HR management and professionals are freed up to work more closely with talent development, employee engagement and retention, and developing hiring strategies that address current and future needs. The role of the individual HR professional, as well as the team overall, is shifting in response to the needs of the marketplace.

While individual certifications in HR have been in the market for many years, group certification is a relatively new player in the field. When the entire group is competent in talent management, the team can work more effectively and gain a competitive edge.