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Human Resource Capability Development Programme

Programme information

A range of adult learning approaches have been used in the design of the Programmes. Participants will work as a whole group and in small tutorial groups, work on a case study throughout the Programme, have the support of coaches, and undertake work-based research.

The Programme consists of an Introductory Session, followed by seven classroom modules. Interspersed between the modules are tutorial sessions and meetings with Agency coaches. The eight modules typically span over seven months..

In all there are nine days of face-to-face classroom training. Participants should expect to spend at least 18 hours at tutorial sessions (average two hours per tutorial) and a minimum of 8 hours meeting with their Agency coach (average one hour per session).

Learning outcomes for the introductory session and each module

Introductory session

By the end of this session participants should be able to:

Understand the relationship between the HR Capability Model and Programme content
Understand the Programme outline and assessment procedures
Understand the 360° feedback process and purpose
Understand the roles and responsibilities of facilitators, participants, and Agency coaches and Programme coaches.

Module One - Day 1 - Strengthening HR practitioner interpersonal skills

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Understand the learning contract purpose and process
Display a comprehensive understanding of the HR Capability Model and it's application
Appreciate the skills and behaviours required to be an effective internal HR consultant
Identify professional strengths and weaknesses and their impact on daily work
Understand the purpose and applicability of the Programme case study to follow up activities and workplace assessment

Module One - Day 2 - Partnering with the business

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Appreciate different organisational perspectives
Have an understanding of the factors that enable good working relationships
Effectively identify key stakeholders
Identify how business requirements drive HR services and initiatives

Module Two - Aligning HR with the business - Part A

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Apply skills to effectively scan and read the business
Have an understanding of workforce planning processes and its integration with business planning
Design HR initiatives that enable business outcomes

Module Three - Aligning HR with the business - Part B

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Apply skills that can build effective and engaging working relationships with stakeholders
Understand and confirm stakeholder requirements
Align HR initiatives and organisational dynamics
Identify HR options to achieve business outcomes

Module Four - Designing the case for change

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Develop appropriate options to meet business needs
Understand and use cost benefit analysis and risk mitigation strategies
Develop a comprehensive business plan

Module Five - Bringing ideas to the business

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Explain and support HR initiatives and their impact on the business
Understand the role of HR as an agent of change
Identify and use persuasive language that can influence key stakeholders
Utilise resilient behaviours that enhance credibility and effective partnerships

Module Six - Coaching and developing others

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Understand the behavioural triggers that improve performance
Identify initiatives that enable executives and line managers to actively manage people issues
Understand the elements of effective change management
Align change management strategies with organisation requirements

Module Seven - Measuring and evaluating HR's contribution to the business

At the conclusion of this module* participants should be able to:

Identify and align evaluation tools with performance measurement requirements
Use evaluation tools to monitor and analyse HR performance
Source best practice benchmarks to guide future performance targets
Identify and design opportunities to improve business performance

Module Eight - Presenting your ideas

*NB

* A module consists of:

a one or two day face-to-face classroom session
tutorial groups of four participants meeting once or more with their 'Programme coach' after each classroom session to work on case study exercises (participants work in the same group and have the same Programme coach for the duration of the Programme)
each participant meeting once or more with their 'Agency coach' after each classroom session to discuss the application of their learning / study to their agency

Assessment

A component of this Programme is the opportunity for participants to undertake workplace assessment, and in so doing, attain formal recognition of their HR competencies. The assessment component of the HR Capability Programme aims to:

increase the profile of this course as a theoretical and practical orientated Programme;
meet the needs of organisations that only permit staff to attend accredited training programs that incorporate opportunities for formal recognition of competency attainment;
increase the likelihood of participants transferring and applying learnings to the workplace, and therefore improve the effectiveness of HR in the workplace;
improve the credibility of HR in the workplace;
provide participants with formal recognition of their competencies; and
assist participants to make informed career plans and attain personal career goals.

Details of assessment process, assessment instruments and relevant Public Service Education and Training Australia (PSETA) competencies will be outlined to participants at the commencement of the Programme.

HR Capability Development Extension Programme modules run over a 7 month timeframe to enable opportunities to understand concepts and apply learnings

Module	Intro	Month 1	Month 2	Month 3	Month 4	Month 5	Month 6	Month 7
Introductory presentation
1a. Strengthening HR practitioner interpersonal skills
1b. Partnering with the business
2. Aligning HR with the Business Part A
3. Aligning HR with the Business Part B
4. Designing the Case for Change
5a. Bringing ideas to the business
6. Coaching and developing others
7. Measuring and evaluating HR's contribution to the business
8. Presenting your ideas

= Face-to-face for theory, guest speakers and exercises
= Coaching
= Participant workplace
= Facilitator, Participant and Manager review

Participants, Agency Coaches and Programme Coaches - what are their roles?

This is a practical Programme. It is designed so that participants learning can be applied directly back in the workplace, on-the-job.

The Programme relies on the active involvement of three key groups of people. These are the participants, an Agency coach and a Programme coach.

Participants will need to select their manager or manager-once-removed as their Agency coach and support person for the Programme. Participants will also be assigned to one of the Programme facilitators who will act as their Programme coach.

So what are the roles and responsibilities of each group?

Participants will need to:

Be open to new ideas and ways of doing things, support the learning of others and be prepared to take risks to extend their learning.
Accept responsibility for their learning outcomes.
Attend modules and tutorial meetings and share relevant work experiences.
Complete module preparation, for example readings and agency- based research.
Plan, organise and attend regular meetings with their manager to discuss application of learning, progress of the Programme, the learning contract and journal records.
Actively engage in activities, follow up activities and if required / desired workplace assessment.
Actively seek opportunities to share and apply their learning in the workplace.
Complete and monitor their progress against the learning contract.

Agency coaches will need to:

Meet regularly with the participant to discuss application of learning, the learning contract and journal records. They should meet at least once between each module.
Demonstrate an active interest in the Program and share relevant experiences with their participant.
Provide the participant with the necessary time to attend the Programme, complete learning activities and undertake assessment, if required.
Participate in classroom sessions where invited.
Work with participants to identify and assist with the application of new learning.
Coach the participant to enable them to meet Programme and learning contract objectives.
Assist participants to overcome obstacles that are impeding their learning.

Programme coaches will need to:

Meet with participants at agreed times to discuss application of learning and Programme progress.
Assist participants with follow up activities.
Assist participants to meet their objectives in their learning contract.
Assist participants to overcome obstacles that are impeding their learning.
Encourage and support participants to achieve module learning outcomes.
Attend coaching debrief meetings at the conclusion of each module.
Meet with each participant and their manager after the 3rd module and at the completion of the Programme to discuss the participant's learnings and the Programme content.

Human Resource Capability Model 360° Feedback Questionnaire

The Human Resource Capability Model 360° Feedback Questionnaire was developed to complement the APS Human Resource Capability Model.

Participants on the HR Capability Development Programme will complete the 360° Questionnaire to gain feedback on their strengths and development needs.

Upon completion of the 360° Questionnaire, participants will receive a detailed report against each cluster in the HR Capability Model. This will be broken down by 'rater' group - self and manager. The detailed report will also include the 20 highest and lowest ratings.

At the Programme 'Introductory Session', participants will be given information about the 360°. There will also be discussion on how participants might use their reports to further their development.

For most participants, the 360° will be completed online. However, in some agencies, the IT infrastructure makes this difficult. In these cases we will ask participants to complete paper copies of the questionnaire.

Participant Selection Criteria - Extension Programme

The selection criteria have been developed to guide the decision making process for selecting staff to participate in the HR Capability Development Extension Programme. Potential participants should use the criteria as a guide to help decide if the Programme is right for them.

Participants will need to:

Be recognised as a high achiever who will make a significant contribution to the HR profession.
Have a fundamental understanding and ability to relate learning outcomes to their current and future roles.
Be committed to further developing their HR skills and knowledge.
Be willing to actively engage in Programme content and activities and share relevant work experiences.
Be prepared to commit necessary time and energy to attend the Programme and complete the follow up activities.

Human Resource Capability Development Foundation Programme

Participant selection criteria - Foundation Programme

The selection criteria have been developed to guide the decision making process for selecting staff to participate in the HR Capability Development Foundation Programme. Potential participants should use the criteria as a guide to help decide if the Programme is right for them.

Participants will need to:

Be recognised as having the potential to make a significant contribution to the HR profession.
Have a basic understanding and ability to relate learning outcomes to their current and future roles.
Be committed to further developing their HR skills and knowledge.
Be willing to actively engage in Programme content and activities and share relevant work experiences.
Be prepared to commit necessary time and energy to attend the Programme and complete the follow up activities

For further information please contact Marlene Hanner on 02 6202 3590 or email marlene.hanner@apsc.gov.au