In an era of continual changes in knowledge and technology, everyone must constantly upgrade themselves and learn new skills to keep up. This significantly enhances job performance and improves competencies.
And this is the primary reason why companies invest heavily in upskilling their employees – to increase productivity and thrive in a highly competitive market.
HR is responsible for everything from recruitment to employee performance to well-being management and more. Thus, it has become increasingly important for HR teams to be upskilled and empowered to strategically use the power of human resources to turn their companies into performing powerhouses.
In other words, companies want shrewder and skilled HR teams that can efficiently manage their human resources and develop them to enhance organisational performance and excellence.
Right now, many HR teams are still catching up on these skills. The elementary functions like hiring, firing, compensation, etc., are no longer adequate for new-age companies. And neither are the compliance-driven strategies that are still used by many HR departments.
Companies want shrewder and skilled HR teams that can efficiently manage their human resources and develop them to enhance organisational performance and excellence. Click To TweetHence, HR professionals must choose to upskill themselves for these and several other reasons that we discuss below:
Four Reasons Why HR MUST Upskill in 2021
1. To be able to align HR and organisational strategy
As businesses evolve rapidly, human resources teams have the gargantuan responsibility of executing well-defined HR strategies which align with larger organisational goals.
Therefore, HR teams are expected to support overall business strategy with their arsenal of tools and expertise for recruitment, talent management, and employee engagement.
Therefore, upskilling will empower HR professionals to identify, develop, and measure the initiatives crucial to their company’s bottom-line success and align HR strategy with the organisation’s strategy. One can opt for HR and leadership management courses to understand the nuances of their job better and align their strategies with company goals successfully.
2. To be able to hire more effectively with new tools
Hiring has always been one of the primary functions of HR. But the dimensions of hiring have changed over the years as companies realise that recruiting the best available talent to fill the role is not enough. The new recruit must also fit in with the company’s values and culture. This can be an expensive endeavour.
Thus, the end goal is to bring in the best talent and make the right fit as cost-effectively and as efficiently as possible. And this is only possible with the new-gen recruitment tools.
With everything going digital, tools and processes that help make the entire talent acquisition process more effective are constantly being upgraded for ease of use and efficiency. But many HR departments still resort to old and outdated recruitment methods, as they do not have the know-how to apply new-gen tools. Companies admitted to the requirement for digital upskilling, and a whopping 87% of organisations felt that it was necessary to function in this fast-changing environment.
Companies admitted to the requirement for digital upskilling, and a whopping 87% of organisations felt that it was necessary to function in this fast-changing environment.
Upskilling will enable HR professionals to keep in touch with new-generation recruitment methods and ensure the right fit, employee retention, employee satisfaction, and save on high recruitment costs in the long run.
3. To be able to tackle new problems with new solutions
HR teams require a broad range of skills to help employees grow and stay productive.
However, handling employee needs and issues is not always a simple task, as this is an evolving field. For instance, whether the focus is on the science behind organisational behaviour or the impact of mental health on productivity, there is always new research to consider when addressing issues and needs.
However, many HR professionals are unprepared to deal with these problems as they arise.
Therefore, upskilling to understand the challenges in human resource management (HRM) and acquiring the technical and managerial knowledge to tackle real-world challenges at the workplace is necessary. This will equip HR to support employees more effectively and will result in a happier and more engaged workforce.
4. To be able to use data effectively
HR has always been seen as a people function and not one that deals with data and numbers. But, in the era of big data, it would be imprudent not to use it to improve the functioning of the organisation.
Companies that have recognised the value of data are using it to glean insights into identifying and attracting suitable talent, keeping the employees engaged and even predicting when employees will leave. These are unique, valuable, and measurable metrics that can deliver business-critical insights and substantially impact organisational performance.
By better understanding the facts and figures behind the operations, HR can be more prepared for issues that may affect the employees and the organisation.
Hence, knowing how to use data is crucial. Upskilling can develop the ability to analyse data to improve decision making, employee satisfaction, optimise processes, and add value to the company.
Here is a recommended Executive Programme in HR Analytics (EPHRA) course (delivered online on iimjobs.com) which can empower HR professionals to leverage HR data in order to make strategic business recommendations.
Conclusion
As with any employee, the HR teams should also look for opportunities to progress and develop their skills to stay happy and engaged in their work.
The responsibilities of HR teams are always evolving and taking up new shapes. By investing in upskilling and development, an HR professional can bring out the best in them and the best in their team. In the end, a strong and upskilled HR team is bound to affect the brand’s profitability positively and help it achieve business objectives.
And now, it’s your turn! If you have any interesting thoughts or experiences regarding why it is important for HR teams to upskill, leave us a comment or get in touch with us, and we would love to hear from you!
