1) Who is the Certificate for?

The CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice provides a firm foundation in all areas of HR. It is designed for HR professionals, including line managers, HR assistants, and administration staff who want to enhance their HR skills. This Certificate is also ideal for people who are moving into an HR role, or for more senior managers who are making the transfer into HR.

2) What will I get out of the Certificate?

The CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice will help you to develop a wide range of relevant, practical HR skills which will give you the confidence and knowledge to be more effective at work.

The Certificate will help you to further your career with a professional qualification. It is a foundation level standard qualification, at an equivalent level to NVQ/SVQ Level 3 and successful completion leads to Associate membership of the CIPD.

3) How can I use what I learn back at work?

On successful completion of the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice, you will be able to:

• assess the HR function’s contribution to achieving organisational goals
• evaluate the impact of the internal and external environment on HR processes and planning
• prepare and conduct face-to-face interviews and be confident in other areas vital to effective and efficient recruitment and selection
• arrive at soundly-based selection decisions and identify the key elements of the employment relationship
• explain the contractual relationship between employer and employee
• relate performance review to the overall strategy of the business
• plan and carry out a short training session using suitable supporting material and be able to apply basic feedback, assessment and evaluation techniques
• apply the fundamentals of employment law and recognise the practical relevance of your own organisation’s policies and procedures
• improve the performance of a team and encourage personal development by using an effective performance review process.
  

4) How do I gain the Certificate?

To be awarded the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice, you must:

• attend all the face-to-face course modules that make up the programme:
• Module 1 (5 days)
• Module 2 (5 days)
• complete four assessed assignments – two skills-based and two written
• complete an assessed integrated project including a project proposal and written report
• complete self-study material
• maintain a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) log that demonstrates a satisfactory level of learning and understanding.

5) How long will it take me?

The CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice – Fast Track programme is an intensive programme designed to be completed over six-months. However, you may take up to a maximum of one year. You must be able to give priority to your studies for the six-month duration, otherwise you should consider the more flexible Modular programme. 

The CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice – Modular programme is extremely flexible. You are required to complete the Certificate within a maximum of two years, although it can be completed in a considerably shorter time frame. Find out more about the Modular programme.

6) What support will I have throughout the Certificate?

Your personal tutor

You will be assigned a personal tutor who provides advice and support on all aspects of the Certificate throughout the programme. Support is by phone, email and post. Your personal tutor will be an expert in the field of HR, giving you access to the highest level of up-to-date expertise.Your personal tutor’s role is to support and coach you though the programme, including:

• answering any queries you have about the content and structure of the Certificate
• reviewing outline plans of your assessed work
• commenting on draft copies of your written assignments and case studies (we would strongly recommend that you send at least one draft of your written assignments to your personal tutor before submitting it for assessment) and providing feedback on areas of improvement
• providing useful reference points for additional information, if necessary.
  

CIPD

At any stage during the programme, you can call or email the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice Co-ordinator, Registrar or CIPD Customer Services with any questions you have.

When you enrol on the programme you will be given access to a Learner Support Site. We have a dedicated Learner Support Site team available to help you with your online learning.

Contact details for all of the above will be given to you when you enrol.

CIPD Library

When you enrol on the programme you must become a studying affiliate member of the CIPD (if you are not already). This will give you access to a unique collection of HR publications through our library. This includes:

• 12,000 books and reports
• 140 journal titles with over 16,000 journal articles
• special collections including examples of company policies
• surveys - including salary surveys
• statistical publications
• directories
• training manuals.

Whilst some resources are reserved for reference only, most items are available for loan to CIPD members and can be sent to you through the post. You can search the database online, or the library can send you a list of items tailored to your specific needs.

Your employer

Wherever possible we encourage you to obtain your employer’s support in the following areas:

• learning objectives
• assignments and case studies
• consolidating learning.
  

7) Does the Certificate lead to CIPD membership?

Whilst studying for the Certificate you must register as an studying Affiliate member of the CIPD.

Successful Completion of the Certificate leads to Associate membership of the CIPD. A professional grade of CIPD membership is a valuable asset to your professional career and will ensure that you get the recognition you deserve.

Please note that the registration fee for membership is not included in the Certificate fee. Find out more about membership fees.

8) What is the cost of the Certificate?

£4,045.55 + £707.88 VAT

All fees are valid for bookings received before 31 December 2009.

Fees include:

• tuition on all face-to-face course modules
• course materials including a core text and self-study materials
• access to a CIPD personal tutor by phone, email and post
• monitoring of the programme by CIPD qualified tutors and moderators
• assessment of assignments and the project
• unlimited access to the web-based Learner Support Site.

Fees do not include travel, accommodation or registration as an Affiliate member of the CIPD, which is mandatory for all candidates, if not already CIPD members.

9) How do I apply?

To book onto this programme, please click here. Complete the PDF booking form and return it to us.

Alternatively, please contact our Customer Service team on +44 (0)20 8612 6202. They will be able to take your registration details and offer you advice and guidance.