Human resource development includes training an individual after he/she is first hired, providing opportunities to learn new skills, distributing resources that are beneficial for the employee’s tasks, and any other developmental activities.
This set of processes within the HR department is critical to employee on-boarding and retention. Without proper training, employees can not succeed. Without learning and development of personal and professional skills, employees grow stale and stagnant.
Human resource development is the integrated use of training, organization, and career development efforts to improve individual, group, and organizational effectiveness. HRD develops the key competencies that enable individuals in organizations to perform current and future jobs through planned learning activities. Groups within organizations use HRD to initiate and manage change. Also, HRD ensures a match between individual and organizational needs.
The term HRD is often confused with HRM (Human Resource Management) – so how are they different?
Difference between HRD and HRM (via WhatIsHumanResource.com)
Both are very important concepts of management specifically related with human resources of organization. Human resource management and human resource development can be differentiated on the following grounds:
- Human resource management is mainly maintenance oriented (admin tasks, employee files, payroll, etc.) whereas human resource development is learning oriented.
- Organization structure in the case of human resource management is independent, whereas human resource development creates a structure that is inter-dependent and inter-related.
- Human resource management aims to improve the efficiency of the employees, whereas HRD aims at the development of the employees as well as organization as a whole.
- Responsibility of human resource development is given to the personnel/human resource management department and specifically to personnel manager, whereas responsibility of HRD is given to all managers at various levels of the organization.
- HRM motivates employees by giving them monetary incentives or rewards whereas human resource development stresses on motivating people by satisfying higher-order needs.
So now that we’ve a clearer idea of the definition of HRD, what are some of the benefits your firm can expect?
Benefits of Human Resource Development (via WhatIsHumanResource.com)
Human resource development s considered as the key to higher productivity, better relations and greater profitability for any organization. Appropriate HRD provides unlimited benefits. Some of the most important are:
- HRD (Human Resource Development) makes people more competent. HRD develops new skills, knowledge and attitudes of the workforce.
- With an appropriate HRD program, people become more committed to their jobs. People are assessed on the basis of their performance by having a acceptable performance appraisal system.
- An environment of trust and respect can be created with the help of human resource development.
- Acceptability toward change can be created with the help of HRD. Employees found themselves better equipped with problem-solving capabilities.
- It improves the all around growth of the employees. HRD also improves team spirit in the organization.
- It also helps to create an “efficiency culture” in the organization. It leads to greater organizational effectiveness. Resources are properly utilized and goals are achieved in a better way.
- It improves employee participation. Workers feel a sense of pride and achievement while performing their jobs.
- It also helps to collect useful and objective data on employee programs and policies which further facilitate better human resource planning.