As companies navigate these most challenging of times, it has never been more important to ensure staff are motivated, engaged and happy in their work.
This year, National College of Ireland (NCI) is offering a series of online courses, providing managers and human resources (HR) professionals with the skills they need to keep their businesses moving forward.
The part-time courses are skills-based and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the professional body for HR in Ireland.
The college is hosting an online open day this Tuesday August 25th at 1pm, with course directors on hand to explain how the courses work, what is involved and what people can hope to gain by signing up.
Speaking to Bobby Kerr ahead of the event, Rachel Doherty, CIPD Programme Director at National College of Ireland, said the COVID crisis has made HR expertise more important than ever.
“Two-thirds of organisations, despite the current conditions, are actually planning to maintain or increase their staffing levels,” she said. “That’s according to research just out from CIPD”
“HR is always about attracting good staff, motivating good staff and holding on to them, because good companies need good people.
“But at the moment, motivation is a particular focus – so teaching managers how to manage and motivate remote teams and keep their staff engaged and performing, that is a particular challenge for HR at the moment.”
The online courses start in September and include certificates and diplomas in human resource management, learning and development, coaching and consulting and employment law.
Ms Doherty said the open day will feature talks from teachers, students and graduates – with a live Q&A to follow.
“Every year, we get people who are managers in their organisations and they are leading large teams,” she said. “They want to up their HR expertise because it would be valuable to them in their work.
“This year, it is going to be live online so there are no geographical limitations if you want to attend. It doesn’t matter if you live in Kerry or Donegal – all you need is a laptop and good broadband.”
She said the course attracts everyone from mid-level managers to people who are already working in HR and those looking to break into the profession with a certified qualification.
“Good companies need good people and that’s not down to one department; it is down to every manager in the organisation,” she said.
“But HR can support those mangers. Their expertise is not necessarily people leadership; their expertise is often in the technical aspects of a job; they get promoted based on that, so they need support and they need development in order to become really good managers.”
The courses offer crucial insights for any company looking for ways to retain staff through difficult times, take proactive measures to hold on to talent and take a strategic approach to business development.
Find out more about the CIPD courses on offer at NCI, and register for the webinar taking place this Tuesday, 25th August.
Listen to the full interview with Bobby Kerr here
