Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and maintain a strategic approach to managing human resources in an organisation.

The unit is critical for any human resources manager and should be undertaken after a firm grounding has been established in a range of human resources activities.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to human resources managers or policy and planning staff with specific responsibility for ensuring that the organisation has the structure and staff to meet current and foreseeable business and performance objectives. In most instances this role will be undertaken by someone from a large organisation and will support an established strategic or business plan.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Research planning requirements

1.1. Analyse strategic plans to determine human resource strategic direction, objectives and targets

1.2. Undertake additional environmental analysis to identify emerging practices and trends  that may impact on human resources management in the organisation

1.3. Identify future labour needs , skill requirements and options for sourcing labour supply 

1.4. Consider new technology and its impact on job roles and job design

1.5. Review recent and potential changes to industrial and legal requirements

2. Develop human resources strategic plan

2.1. Consult relevant managers about their human resources preferences

2.2. Agree on human resources philosophies, values and policies with relevant managers

2.3. Develop strategic objectives and targets for human resources  services

2.4. Examine options for the provision of human resources services  and analyse costs and benefits

2.5. Identify appropriate technology and systems to support agreed human resources programs and practices

2.6. Write strategic human resources plan  and obtain senior management support for the plan

2.7. Develop risk management plans to support the strategic human resources plan

3. Implement human resources strategic plan

3.1. Work with others to see that the plan is implemented

3.2. Monitor and review the plan

3.3. Adapt plan should circumstances change

3.4. Evaluate and review performance against plan objectives

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• literacy skills to:

• read relevant documentation
• write plans

• numeracy skills to undertake cost-benefit analysis of available options
• planning and organisational skills to develop and implement plans
• research, learningand analysis skills to ensure necessary information is gathered prior to writing plans

Required knowledge 

• human resources practices and functions
• impact of technology on job roles
• labour market options for sourcing labour supply
• requirements of a strategic plan

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

• development of a strategic human resources plan which includes relevant research and data and demonstrates a clear alignment with broader business objectives
• implementation and review of the plan.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure access to appropriate documentation and resources normally used in the workplace.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are appropriate for this unit:

• assessment of reports on strategic human resources issues and human resources planning
• direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
• evaluation of strategic objectives and targets for human resources services
• review of human resources plan and risk management plans
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of human resources practices and functions.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Emerging practices and trends  may include:

• ageing workforce
• changes in consumer patterns or community expectations
• economic trends
• labour market trends
• multi-generational teams
• new products or services
• new technologies
• political or legislative changes
• qualification or educational changes
• working internationally.

Future labour needs  may include:

• labour required to achieve organisation's strategic objectives, for example:

• competency
• number
• quality
• type.

Options for sourcing labour supply  refer to:

• employing a range of recruitment options
• hiring casual labour
• hiring new graduates or trainees
• employing off-shore workers
• outsourcing
• using contractors or consultants.

Strategic objectives and targets for human resources  may refer to:

• equal employment opportunity and diversity
• human resources information systems
• induction
• industrial relations
• job analysis and design
• OHS
• performance management
• professional development
• recruitment and selection
• remuneration
• staff retention and succession planning.

Options for the provision of human resources services  may include:

• external provision by a consultant or contractor
• having the work performed elsewhere (outsourcing)
• internal human resources provision of the service
• internal non-human resources provision of the service
• merging of business units.

Human resources plan  includes:

• budget
• priorities
• objectives
• timeframes.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Workforce development - human resource management

Co-requisite units