In 2021, there will be significant changes to the Human Resources industry and the way organisations react to trends.
2020 was a year that challenged the way many industries operate, and Human Resources bore the heavy lifting. For a career that focuses on advertising job vacancies, interviewing applicants, providing advice on policies and procedures, and so much more, the year was full of change and adaptation.
Meeting demand with supply
The Human Resources sector is a fascinating and rewarding one with a bright future. It’s a simple demand versus supply equation. A recent government study found the need for human resources managers, and training and development managers are growing well above the average workforce demand.
- In 2020, 78,800 Australian professionals were working in the HR industry
- By 2024, growth is estimated to exceed 90,000
Even accounting for job ‘turnover’ where existing workers fill vacancies, that shows a strong upward curve of job growth occurring every single week between now and 2023. Most of those jobs will be full-time positions, which indicate career stability and continuity.
Whether you are already in HR, or keen to enter HR, a long-term career in Human Resources requires a respected qualification. An AHRI accredited diploma in human resources through the College for Adult Learning is your perfect choice. A qualification that you study at your own pace, to suit your lifestyle, and at a far more budget-friendly rate than full-time study is a smart way to ensure you have an edge in the marketplace.
In 2020, 78,800 Australian professionals were working in the HR industry, and by 2024, growth is estimated to exceed 90,000. Click To TweetStrong job growth and compensation
Most medium and large companies require the skills of a human resources professional. For example, the top three Australian industries in terms of growth in the next few years are health, social assistance, and food and beverage. Each one requires good HR exponents to recruit and manage the right candidates for their business.
What businesses need are the right people working to not only recruit the best people but manage them once they’re appointed. Human Resources professionals are already well compensated, with companies lining up to hire them and willing to pay more in the future.
Right now, full-time HR professionals earn an average of $1,866 per week, which sits $142 above the national average of $1714. The very top 10% of skilled, experienced professionals earn well in excess of $200,000. Therefore, Human Resources remains a financially rewarding career, particularly if you’ve dedicated time to honing your skills.
In other words, the quicker you start down that specific career path, the quicker you’ll reach the top.
According to a 2020 study conducted by SEEK, Human Resources is among the top 10 most applied for jobs, as of November 2020. On average, the application growth for this industry has increased by 157%, meaning it is a highly sought-after career – a trend that will likely continue into 2021.
Keeping an open mind
We’ve already established how human resources professionals are at the vanguard of managing change. Human Resources departments have become essential to help manage the workplace minefield that occured in 2020. What specific challenges face HR managers in the near future?
Employee retention and engagement:
During a year that faced record unemployment, staff retention was a particular challenge. In many cases, it was simply not possible to maintain normal levels of staff. HR personnel have found themselves managing the exit transition of many staff. As the economy recovers, and workplaces open to full capacity, recruitment and training of new staff are needed. Also, keeping and reengaging existing staff to maintain stability is high on the HR agenda.
Mobile workforce:
In previous years, the mobile workplace was thought of as a trend that might increase slowly, but one that wouldn’t ever see the bulk of the workforce based full-time from home. Until 2020, this was true, but with the world turned upside-down, and almost everyone forced to work from home, HR professionals were relied on to manage this process and ensure staff were treated fairly. Going into 2021 as many businesses transition permanently to work-from-home scenarios, systems and policies will continue to need refinement.
Digitisation:
Not only will data-driven processes improve and increase, but human resources managers will need to get a good handle on tools like social media and video conferencing platforms as a way to engage with employees and candidates. This is especially important given the challenge of physical distancing.
Future proof by value-adding
The workplace has been completely re-written to suit that climate that was 2020. More people working from home, more people left unemployed, it all presented new challenges for professionals working in the human resources sector.
Earning a human resources qualification opens a world of options. The investment will see a return for years to come as the world navigates its way through, and beyond, these new social and workplace challenges.
College for Adult Learning’s HR Diploma has the AHRI stamp of approval
A diploma qualification is incredibly beneficial for anyone seeking a career in Human Resources. Particularly given the challenges of 2020, undergoing a course that offers updated information is vital. In 2020, the College for Adult Learning received an AHRI accreditation for its Human Resources diploma course. The Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) offers this recognition as a reward for outstanding work by our course designers. CAL has always strived to provide a gold standard Diploma of Human Resources Management (BSB50618) that is well above the benchmark of other providers.
AHRI is the peak industry body which represents more than 20,000 human resources professionals in Australia and around the world. Now, AHRI has given the College the ultimate stamp of approval for the Diploma of Human Resources Management (BSB50618).
With the constant changes that have been encouraged by the global pandemic, having an accreditation will give prospective students the confidence to know that even during a somewhat turbulent time, they will be getting an education that benefits them and evolves with the industry. A membership with AHRI provides additional networking, mentoring and support for your career.
Working in Human Resources during such a pivotal time presents you with an incredible opportunity to update systems and processes that are no longer relevant in the changing world we are living in. Knowing that you are helping to reshape the workplace to adopt new ways of working leads to high job satisfaction and career success.