Human Resource Development – Methods and Activities

Human Resource Development

An organized learning experience, which is given in a limited time period. So that the job performance and growth can be improved, is referred as human resource development (HRD). Training is a component of human resource development. Particularly in which special programs are designed to provide specified employees knowledge. As well as skills that are helpful in performing various functions of the job. Here below are discussed the activities and methods of human resource development along with its importance for HRM.

HRD Activities

Following are some of the activities that are included in the area of human resource development.

• Training and Development
• Organizational Development
• Career Development

Training and Development

Training is related with the provision of certain skills and knowledge. Actually that is helpful for the trainees to overcome their deficiencies of job performance. On the other hand development is related with the provision of certain skills to the employees. So that the organization would use them in the future.

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Organizational Development

It is the application of knowledge of behavioral science in the organization. So that strategies, processes and structures are improved through proper development and reinforcement.

Career Development

Career development is defined as the assistance of the organization for the acquisition of the required knowledge. Along with skills by the employees to perform current job as well as some future job effectively. The organization develops certain policies for its employees. Such as promotion, opportunity to perform excellently in future and counseling the employees etc. So that the employees can develop their career. It includes knowledge, skills, experiences, reinforcement and behavior modification techniques. In fact that make employees to perform better and add value.

Human Resource Programs

Human resource programs are classified into the following three kinds:

• Training
• Education
• Development

Training

The employees receive the training so that they can be potential enough. Even to perform the duties of their current job effectively.

Education

The employees that are considered as potential and efficient enough to be promoted are given the training called education. Education is provided to the promoting employees so that they can perform well for a different job. Either in the upward level of hierarchy or in the lateral one.

Development

In order to provide a new viewpoint, technology or horizons. Training is given to employees to make them proactive by fulfilling the expected performances by the organization.

HRD Methods

The ability of the employee can be developed though both on the job methods and off the job methods. Following are the details about these methods of human resource development.

Job Rotation

In this method effort is made to increase the knowledge, skills and abilities of employees by moving them to different positions. Employees can be rotated both vertically and horizontally. Although vertical rotation is also called promotion.

Assistant to Position

Sometimes an efficient employee is moved under the supervision of a successful manager of the organization. In this way the abilities and skills of employees are groomed under the direction of a successful manager. So that the learning employees can be prepared for higher level duties.

Committee Assignment

An employee can avail the opportunity of development through committee assignment by sharing the decision. Also making process, by ascertaining certain problems of the organization and by watching others.

Lectures and Seminars

It is the old method in which the lectures and seminars are arranged. Even through which employees can get knowledge and develop their analytical and conceptual abilities.

Simulations

Simulators are complex devices that can create artificial situations similar to real one. Even by creating duplicates of real situations. Therefore training is provided to employees by performing some tasks in the situation.

Outdoor Training

Outdoor training is considered as one of effective methods of human resource development. Trainees are trained to work together in the form of a team. In such cases the main aim is to understand the response of employees when they face natural difficulties.

Preparation of Succession Plan Program

Succession plans include the details of the job posts that are currently opened in the organization. Moreover, the jobs that will post in near future. If the decision of management is to fill the positions from inside the organization. Then training and development is required to make employees efficient enough for the promotion. If the management decides to fill the position from the outside environment. Then there is a need for careful analysis of the labor market. So that qualified and potential replacements can be made.

Role of Line Managers in Human Resource Development

The line manager performs the following roles with respect to the human resource development.

• He gives the employee orientation training to the new employees.
• The training needs are assessed and resulting developmental strategies are planned by the line manager.
• He is responsible for on the job training
• He ensures that proper training is transferred to the trainees.

The Role HR Department in HRD

The HR department is directly involved in the human resource development in the organization by performing the following Functions:

• The employee orientation training is provided by the department.
• The preparation of management development programs are supported by the department.
• Proper training and development is proved to the needy employees by the department.
• The training is evaluated to ascertain the effectiveness of the training programs.

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No doubt, Human Resource Development is an important area of an organization. That is held and managed by the HRM department of the organization. Therefore it is useless to say a lot of the success of HRM depends on the HRD.