Advanced HR Certificate Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

The County of San Diego developed an Advanced Human Resources (HR) Certificate Program for human resources professionals. The Advanced Program is an instinctive enhancement to the existing HR Certificate Program that was developed in 2005, which had over 120 participants. This low cost, innovative training program broadens the business knowledge of both HR generalists and specialists. By focusing on Human Resources theory and practicum, participants learn critical skills needed to manage day-today human resources responsibilities. By learning practical, yet critical information and participating in a variety of in-class discussions and interactive projects relating to work place issues, participants gain a better understanding of how their roles impact the organization. The program consists of 48 classroom instruction hours by county employees who are subject matter experts in a particular field. Each topic is half lecture and half project oriented. Emphasis is placed on the five major HR competencies expected of the profession: Strategic Contribution, Personal Credibility, HR Delivery, Business Knowledge and HR Technology. Results of pre and post program surveys have conclusively shown an increase in the level of knowledge and comfort in all of the programs’ subjects. The participants’ level of comfort increased an average of 31 percent in 41 percent of the subject areas, and their level of knowledge increased an average of 28 percent in 67 percent of the subject areas.