The Use of Competencies for HR and Other Professionals

Introduction

There are two types of organizations: those with a competency framework and those who are going to introduce a competency framework. Whether you are about to review or amend your competency framework or if you are planning to introduce a competency framework then this course is for you. Being tasked with introducing competencies into your organization can seem at times like a mission impossible! This highly informative and interactive course will give you the tools, models, knowledge, and understanding to be able to effectively design, build and implement a competency framework in your organization. Based on best-in-class experiences you will be able to implement a competency framework that contributes to your organization’s strategy and long-term success. You will also identify issues that allow you to make an informed decision regarding the implications for successful implementation. Getting the best from people is a complex and difficult task. It is also the key to running a successful team or department.

The use of competencies can be of great help in understanding behavior and ensuring that the right people are in the right jobs and the right techniques are used to motivate them. This program will show you how to achieve this.

Competencies can be key elements in the following applications:

• The management of values –“walking the talk”
• Leadership development
• Selection criteria and methods
• Talent management and career planning
• Succession planning
• Performance management
• Assessment
• Employee development

Objectives

• Develop and define competencies that are a valuable management tool providing a common language and framework for understanding your organization’s performance
• Gain top management commitment to the framework, ensure that it is based on the mission, vision, values, and strategy of your organization, and then communicate it effectively
• Learn how to implement the competency framework, using it to build a linked and cohesive suite of critical HR processes
• Understand the fundamental components of an effective competency framework and use this understanding to design and implement a framework that contributes to your organization’s success
• Explore common implementation challenges and discover how to overcome common pitfalls to ensure smooth implementation
• The program will discuss and establish the opportunities for the use of competencies and provide some ideas for the range of applications. This program will build the case for using competencies and show how to develop and apply a competency framework

The Goals: Participants will learn how to:

• Define a competency and understand the distinction between competencies, skills, and tasks
• Describe how to use competencies in public and private organizations
• Differentiate between Leadership competencies, Technical competencies, and Behavioural competencies
• Link competencies to organizational objectives and values – manage not only what staff do but how they do it
• Use competencies for recruitment and assessment; for development; for talent management; for performance management and for succession planning

Training Methodology

This is an interactive course. There will be open question and answer sessions, regular group exercises and activities, videos, case studies, and presentations on best practices. Participants will have the opportunity to share with the facilitator and other participants what works well and not so well for them, as well as work on issues from their own organizations. The online course is conducted online using MS-Teams/ClickMeeting. 

Who Should Attend?

This course is appropriate for anyone who is considering reviewing or implementing a competency framework as part of their HR strategy.

It will be of particular interest to:

• HR Directors/Managers/Officers/Specialists
• Career Development Analysts/Officers/Specialists/Coordinators
• Training and Development Directors
• Talent Managers
• Human Resource Development Directors
• Heads of Organisational Development and Training
• Management Development Officers
• Career and Succession Planning Managers/Specialists
• Quality and Development Managers
• Personnel and Administration Managers

Course Outline

Day 1: Designing a Competency Framework

• Data collection – what do we need to know?
• Data collection methods
• Analysis of information collected
• Considering different competency designs
• Technical competencies
• Behavioral competencies
• Leadership competencies

The Links between HR and Competencies

• What are competencies?
• What support should managers, team leaders, and supervisors get from HR?
• And what should they take responsibility for themselves?
• Values, Strategy, and HR
• Different methods of developing a competency framework – behavioral event interviewing, repertory grid interviews, top management judgments, focus groups
• Getting “buy-in”
• An HR Management Framework Based on Competencies
• Technical, Behavioural, and Leadership Competencies

Day 2: Competencies and Recruitment

• Competency design – definitions, negative indicators, positive indicators
• Recruitment and Selection
• Adapting a competency framework for use in recruitment
• The use of assessment centers in recruitment
• Examples of Assessment Centers.
• Induction, orientation, and personal development

Day 3: Performance Management

• Using competencies in performance management
• The four stages of performance management – agreeing on objectives, giving feedback, coaching, appraisal
• Links to pay
• Introducing a performance management process:- consultation, communications, training, and alignment

Day 4: Talent Management

• Attracting the right talent
• Competency-based Career Planning
• Management Succession
• Succession Planning
• Competency-based Training and Development

Day 5: Shaping Behaviour and Managing Culture

• The development of values (and the link to competencies)
• Motivation
• Extrinsic and Intrinsic Reward
• Empowerment and Accountability
• Right-sizing
• Self Assessment
• 360-degree feedback
• Cases & Workshop