New curriculum raises the bar for HR qualification

Human resource professionals will have to undergo fresh training to be certified to practice in Kenya. This raises the bar for joining the lucrative industry.

The Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM) has launched a new curriculum, which it says seeks to improve competence among human resource professionals.

Speaking during the launch of Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Examination Curriculum, IHRM Executive Director Samson Osero said all HR professionals in Kenya will be required to take the CHRP Examination to earn the title of CHRP (K), the equivalent of CPA (K) for accountants.

Kenya becomes the first country in Africa to have such certification for the HR profession. All HR professionals, including consultants, are required to have IHRM practising certificates by December 31 or risk being barred from practising.

CHRP has been developed by the Human Resource Management Professional Examination Board (HRMPEB), which will also manage administration of the exams and certification.

CHRP certification is the climax of a series of reforms geared at streamlining the HR profession in the country, which began in 2012. “The curriculum has three key components,” said Osero. “There is course work, workplace attachment and project. This makes it 80 per cent practical.”