This 2-day introductory workshop will help you to understand the requirements of the Certificate in Personnel Practice. It will help you to identify the opportunities, challenges and sources of help and support available to you. The opportunity to get first hand guidance from a course tutor at the outset and the network opportunity with others who are also working towards the Certificate can help to make your learning more enjoyable and rewarding. It will also cover some general aspects of Personnel Practice.

By the end of the session participants will be able to:

• identify the key requirements of the Certificate in terms of the courses and assessed work
• describe some key contributions and functions of the personnel function
• explain the key issues in recording, analysing and interpreting personal data
• explain the contribution of personnel to managing activities such as organisational and HR planning, health and safety, absence, grievances, flexible working practices, making organisational improvements
• explain the impact of external and internal environments, external and internal labour markets on HR processes and planning.

This will be a combination of tutor guidance and input together with practical work in groups and individually. Students will have prepared for this workshop by completing some self-study reading and activities. This will help them to quickly get an overview of some areas and will facilitate the sharing of ideas, concerns, hopes and opportunities.