How Do I Plan a Human Resource Training Program in an Organization Setting?

by Tara Duggan, Demand Media
Planning a training program for human resource professionals helps them support employees.


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Planning a training program to support human resources (HR) functions in an organizational setting involves assessing the need, designing the materials to support human resource professionals, developing the training program, implementing the program and evaluating the impact of the program on departmental operational metrics. HR professionals support the company and require skill development to do so. Effective training programs ensure HR professionals can provide employee support in the most cost-effective and consistent manner.

Step 1

Analyze your human resources department operations. Observe human resources professionals conducting day-to-day activities. Conduct surveys to determine what tasks the HR department workers need the most help in developing expertise. For example, typical topics include approving or denying leave, establishing salary ranges, calculating bonuses, creating performance improvement plans and handling layoffs.

Step 2

Design your training program by listing learning objectives and creating a content outline. Validate your assumptions by reviewing your design ideas with members of the HR organization. Obtain sponsorship from executive leadership to ensure your program aligns with strategic goals. For example, establish a comprehensive training program to train HR personnel to conduct hiring activities efficiently when the company goal includes plans to expand significantly.

Step 3

Develop your training materials including presentations, classroom exercises and study guides. Create a list of references and resources. Publish these to a company intranet page and communicate its availability via newsletter or social media technology such as a blog or forum. Create a list of industry Internet links of tip and techniques. For example, the Society of Human Resource Management provides sample interview questions. HR professionals can use these questions as a guideline when conducting effective interviews.

Step 4

Implement your training program by communicating its availability to all employees in your HR department to ensure compliance to company policies and procedures as well state, federal and local regulations. Make the training mandatory for new employees and provide seminars on specific changes for more experienced employees. Popular refresher topics may include benefits, leadership, consulting, ethics, diversity, labor relations, safety and staffing management.

Step 5

Evaluate your training program effectiveness by conducting follow-up interviews, surveys, focus groups and operational analysis. For example, examine HR operation metrics using the metrics calculators provided by the Society of Human Resource Management. Calculate the diversity hire ratio before and after providing a course on how to hire a diverse population. Use higher diversity ratios as a validation point for the success of your training program.

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