The International Standards Organization has approved a proposal to develop a global HR framework in three years
A global competency framework for the HR profession proposed by Canadian-based Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) has been approved by the International Standards Organization (ISO).
In August, HRPA presented its proposal to a technical committee (TC 260) which runs under ISO and focuses on HR management.
The Association recommended the use of a “multinational working group” to develop global HR standards that integrate competency frameworks from various countries into a single global framework.
HRPA said that the proposal was “endorsed unanimously” with the committee creating the recommended working group with HRPA CEO Bill Greenhalgh as chair.
At present, Australia, the US, UK and Canada are some of the few countries to establish their own detailed core competency frameworks for HR.
Greenhalgh said that a global framework would help enhance the HR profession by creating a common basis for education, training and talent selection. It would also simplify how professional designations are recognised between countries.
“Once it becomes a standard, any country that wants to be considered to have a professional HR function will at least have to factor this new standard into their thinking,” he said.
“Ultimately, competency frameworks support designations and those are very important because they are an objective validation of someone’s capability. They tell an employer that if you have that designation, you have the ability, the skill, the background and the experience to be able to function well in a specific job.”
The next step will involve all national standards associations to bring together relevant experts and provide input.
HRPA estimates the final global framework will be completed in three years.
Related stories:
Why HR needs global standards
Employer group calls for workplace relations reform
Designing an HRIS to support globalisation
In August, HRPA presented its proposal to a technical committee (TC 260) which runs under ISO and focuses on HR management.
The Association recommended the use of a “multinational working group” to develop global HR standards that integrate competency frameworks from various countries into a single global framework.
HRPA said that the proposal was “endorsed unanimously” with the committee creating the recommended working group with HRPA CEO Bill Greenhalgh as chair.
At present, Australia, the US, UK and Canada are some of the few countries to establish their own detailed core competency frameworks for HR.
Greenhalgh said that a global framework would help enhance the HR profession by creating a common basis for education, training and talent selection. It would also simplify how professional designations are recognised between countries.
“Once it becomes a standard, any country that wants to be considered to have a professional HR function will at least have to factor this new standard into their thinking,” he said.
“Ultimately, competency frameworks support designations and those are very important because they are an objective validation of someone’s capability. They tell an employer that if you have that designation, you have the ability, the skill, the background and the experience to be able to function well in a specific job.”
The next step will involve all national standards associations to bring together relevant experts and provide input.
HRPA estimates the final global framework will be completed in three years.
Related stories:
Why HR needs global standards
Employer group calls for workplace relations reform
Designing an HRIS to support globalisation