12 Best HR Training Programs for 2024
Only 21% of HR professionals have the competencies they need to tackle current and future workforce challenges. HR training is an essential tool to equip you with new skills and knowledge in the different areas of HR.
With so many options, choosing a course that’s right for you can sometimes be challenging. We’ve broken down the six key components to consider when choosing your HR training program and compiled the top 12 courses to help you get started in your search.
Contents
Key components of HR Training
Offline vs. online HR training
Best HR training programs
FAQ
Key components of HR training
Before you choose a Human Resources training program, it’s good to take a couple of elements into consideration. Depending on, among other things – your organization, your specific role, and, of course, your personal needs and preferences – not every training will be suitable.
Subject matter & teacher
Unless you have unlimited time and budget for learning and development, you want to start with an HR training that serves you in your (day-to-day) activities.
Looking at where you’re at in your career and your goals will help you focus on the subject of your training. As someone new to the field, you may look at HR training courses for beginners, while seasoned HR practitioners might want to upskill in people analytics or get an HR Manager certification.
You can see some popular HR training topics below:
Another aspect associated with the training subject is the person who gives the training. Before signing up for a Human Resources training program, make sure to check out who’s teaching.
See if you can watch or listen to an excerpt from the course you’re interested in to understand their teaching style and voice. Also, look at their experience in the field and what people who’ve already done one of their courses say about their teaching.
Bite-sized or not?
Another element to be aware of when looking at training for HR professionals is the length and time requirements. For many people in HR, finding online, self-paced modules that allow you to go at your own speed is critical.
The likelihood of having a ‘learning window’ of an hour or more is slim for most. However, you might have fifteen or twenty minutes of flexible time now and then – and what better way to spend that time than furthering your skills with an online HR training module?
We also recommend checking if it’s possible to go back to a certain module or chapter once you’ve completed it. Having the flexibility to flow through the course material at your own ease will help the learning process and knowledge retention
Learning on-demand
Learning on-demand means that you have the possibility to learn when, where, and how you want. Part of this has to do with being able to digest the learning material in bite-sized pieces, as described above. It also has to do with the learning material being available on various devices; desktops, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones.
Selecting a course that includes interactive elements is ideal to enhance your learning experience. The more dynamic and interesting the course content is, the easier it will be for you to maintain focus and progress. Interactive elements include videos, quizzes, infographics, downloadable resources, and practical projects.
Community
Especially for online HR training courses, it can be a real added value to have a community of fellow students. This kind of practitioner community is great if you want to share experiences, ask questions, or solve problems together with others who are on the same journey. It can also be a good place to find inspiration and expert perspective.
Sometimes, course instructors are also part of these kinds of communities. Allowing you to ask questions about the training you did or exchange opinions on subject matters.
HR certification
The goal of learning for the sake of learning is always a great attitude when considering your HR career development. However, finishing an HR training program with a certification can help set you apart from others in your organization or other candidates you might be running against.
What’s more, HR certifications can also help boost your pay by as much as 28%.
Offline vs. online HR training
When choosing a course, it’s important to consider the mode of training: offline or online. One benefit of offline, on-site training is you get to ask your questions face-to-face with (most of the time) an instant answer. You also get to meet your fellow students in person. Offline, on-site HR training also has the advantage of being less casual. You know what day(s) you have to be where and from what time.
Online HR training is a great choice for those who value flexibility and the ability to self-pace their learning. Typically, a well-thought-out course will do its best to replicate the community aspects of on-site learning, as well as teacher interactions.
In addition to budget and timeline, think through what environment you learn best in and choose the one that fits your learning preferences the most.
Best HR training programs
We’ve compiled a list of the 12 best Human Resources trainings for you to take a look at. Our list includes HR training for beginners, professionals with a couple of years of experience, and seasoned HR professionals.
Please note that this list is compiled based on publicly available information. We have not tried the courses ourselves, with the exception of AIHR‘s trainings.
Here goes (in alphabetical order):
1. AIHR – The Academy to Innovate HR
AIHR offers globally accredited, online HR training programs that allow HR professionals to work on real-world projects and case studies. All of the courses are made by practitioners for practitioners while also having a deep academic foundation. AIHR’s curriculum comprises 13 comprehensive Human Resources certificate programs:
- Organizational Development
- HR Manager
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
- People Analytics
- Digital HR
- HR Business Partner
- HR Metrics and Dashboarding
- Learning and Development
- Strategic Talent Acquisition
- HR Generalist
- Compensation & Benefits
- Talent Management & Succession Planning
- Sourcing & Recruitment
You can also get full Academy access and enjoy standalone HR training courses like ChatGPT for HR.
The course curriculum is geared towards HR professionals at the start of their careers, seasoned practitioners, and everything in between. HR teams can also follow the certificate programs to fill skills gaps and drive business value.
AIHR students get access to the Academy’s global practitioner community, where you can share your experiences and discuss best practices. They can also download templates, checklists, and other useful resources in the Resource Library.
Each course has a flexible, bite-sized structure, so you can learn on demand. The learning time per individual course ranges between 5–20 hours. If you want to complete a full certificate program, you will need 22-36 hours. All courses are accredited by SHRM and HRCI.
Cost: $975 per course, $1,675 for 12-month full academy access
2. Alison
Alison is a platform that offers free online courses from the world’s leading experts on different topics, including HR. The Human Resources training courses Alison offers are suitable for those who want to jumpstart their career and climb towards a respectable position and those who simply wish to brush up their skills.
Popular courses include:
- Diploma in Human Resources
- Discipline in organizations
- Introduction to time management
Allison offers a well-structured curriculum with lessons that are divided into sections. The concepts are explained in a simple, easy-to-follow manner.
Cost: Free
3. ATD – The Association for Talent Development
Since learning and development is one of the core areas of HR, the Association for Talent Development (ATD) deserves a spot on this HR trainings list. They offer training that helps professionals to develop talent in the workplace.
Below are just a few of their courses:
- Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD)
- Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD)
Apart from these certification programs, the ATD offers a large range of other courses around learning and development. Examples include:
- Training Design & Delivery
- Adult Learning
- Delivering Exceptional Learning Experiences
ATD provides face-to-face, live online, self-paced, adaptive learning, and team training.
Cost: Check the ATD website for pricing details
4. Bersin Academy
Josh Bersin’s Academy is a global community of HR professionals. Its mission is to prepare the HR community for the radical disruptions that are already happening in the workplace.
In terms of Human Resources training, the Academy features short, engaging, and thought-provoking programs that cover some of the most important challenges facing HR.
- HR in the Age of AI
- Performance Management Reimagined
- The HR Tech Workshop
- Design Thinking for HR
All courses are introductory, with a learning time of around four hours per course. Students go through the programs in cohorts of 30 to 50 fellow HR practitioners, collaborating to tackle challenges. The drawback is that the programs are not on-demand. You’ll have to wait for your peers to sign up before starting a course.
5. Coursera
Coursera offers 100% online learning from the best universities and companies. Each of their courses is like an interactive textbook that features pre-recorded videos, quizzes, and projects. At the end of every course, there is an official recognition for your work.
Coursera’s HR training offering combines HR training courses from renowned universities like Stanford, the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, ESSEC Business School (France), and many more.
Courses include:
- Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees
- Introduction to People Analytics
- Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
- Managing Employee Performance
Cost: Many of the Human Resources courses on offer at Coursera are free, and there are paid options for additional material.
6. eCornell
Online University eCornell offers Human Resources training programs developed by faculty from Cornell University’s ILR School. Their courses group together the insights and work of leading academic researchers with instruction that’s grounded in practice and focus on real-world application.
Cornell has courses for those who are new to HR and also for accomplished HR practitioners and business partners.
Programs include:
- Human Resources Essentials Certificate
- Diversity and Inclusion for HR Certificate
- HR Transformation Certificate
- Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Certificate
Each course aims to teach you how to determine and manage challenges and come up with optimal solutions. Students learn in an interactive, small cohort format, picking up skills they can immediately apply in their workplaces. All eCornell programs allow you to learn at your own pace, online, and with flexible start dates.
Cost: For example, the Human Resources Essentials course is $3,750 or $675 per month. Visit eCornell’s website for pricing information.
7. FutureLearn
FutureLearn is a British digital education platform jointly owned by The Open University and SEEK Ltd. It offers free courses covering hundreds of topics for a global studentship.
There is currently a range of HR courses on offer from institutions which include Coventry University, Central Queensland University, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Courses include:
- An Introduction to Organisational Development
- Business Etiquette: Master Communication and Soft Skills
- HR Fundamentals
Cost: You can choose to study for free, in which there is a window of 4 weeks to complete the course. For a fee, students can “upgrade,” getting access to the course for as long as it is on FutureLearn and a certificate of completion.
8. HRCI – HR Certification Institute
The HR Certification Institute offers Human Resources training courses both for seasoned professionals as well as those who are just starting their careers. Their programs for more senior HR practitioners tend to require several years of HR experience and a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
For beginners, the HRCI has designed the first-ever certification for professionals just starting in HR. It aims to help you fast-track your career and give you the confidence to launch into the wonderful world of human resources.
HRCI training includes:
- Associate Professional in HR
- Professional in Human Resources
- Senior Professional in Human Resources
The HR Certification Institute provides the HR content self-paced with practice exams.
Cost: HRCI training ranges between $49 and $399, depending on the type of course you go for. Exam fees are $400-$595.
9. HR.com
HR.com provides information, training, and tools to help businesses to manage their HR functions. The platform is easy to search with very user-friendly search functionality, so you can quickly find the Human Resource training course you need.
Training includes:
- Training for HR certification and recertification
- HR product and service reviews and technology discussions
- Webinars and virtual events
- An annual two-day conference for Human Resources professionals
Cost: Students can join for free and obtain access to some of the online content on HR.com, or they can join the HR Genius membership and obtain access to all training content.
10. HR University
HR University is an online HR training provider offering several certifications. Their courses are a compilation of on-demand, expert-led video courses, and interactive learning techniques. HR University allows professionals to further their knowledge and break into a career as an HR professional or deepen specific knowledge on HR topics such as people analytics.
They offer several tracks in which you can buy access to one or the full library. Some of their tracks include:
- HR Generalist Certification
- Diversity and Inclusion Certification
Their tracks allow for certification and give you the freedom to access them online at your convenience.
Cost: Program costs range between $199 and $349. You can get access to all programs for $499.
11. Skillsoft
Skillsoft is an online learning platform that has a collection of curated learning resources in bite-sized formats. This platform aims to provide flexible, easy-to-understand courses to help propel you in your professional career.
Their library of Human Resources training courses includes:
- Human Resources professional (with an introduction to the PHR(r) Exam)
- Ensuring Onboarding Success
- Employee Retention
Many of their courses have a mix of videos, interactive quizzes, and exams.
Cost: You can start with free access and then purchase any full courses that fit your goals.
12. Udemy
Udemy has the world’s largest selection of courses, and their library includes many HR and recruitment courses. As such, the company helps all kinds of organizations prepare for the ever-evolving future of work.
Udemy’s curated collection of courses enables HR professionals to get training in different topics, like:
- Talent Management basics: learn modern Human Resources
- Administrative HR for Beginners
- Instructional Design for eLearning
- Agile HR Fundamentals
Courses are taught by top instructors from around the world.
Cost: Udemy offers free and paid courses. Paid courses range between $11.99 and $199.99.
On a final note
Furthering your career with HR training can be a great way to keep yourself aware of the latest HR standards and support your career advancement. With so many options, it’s key to ensure that you’ve taken the time to research and find the right course for you and your needs, time, and budget.
FAQ
HR training aims to teach HR professionals (immediately) applicable knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be used in their job. The training may focus on delivering better performance in the current role or on overcoming future changes.
In terms of HR training topics, there is a large range of subject matters to choose from (People Analytics, Digital HR, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Human Resources Management, etc.). A lot of HR training is available online (only), but it’s possible to follow offline, on-site training too.
After completing some of the HR professional development courses, you receive a certification.
If you’re curious about starting a career in HR, introductory training is a great idea. This will help you decide if the role is right for you. From there, many employers look for a mix of formal education and on-the-job experience.
You can ask the HR department at your current company if there are any upcoming opportunities for you to explore and what requirements they might have. For example, you can get involved in projects that intersect HR and your current area of expertise.
The benefits of in-person Human Resources training are, among others: you can ask questions face-to-face, you get to meet fellow students in real life, and it’s less casual since dates and times are fixed, which can be good for those who have little self-discipline.
HR certifications are great credentials to showcase your HR expertise to current and potential employers. Not only do they enhance your credibility, but they also often lead to increased earning potential.
Moreover, these certifications demonstrate a commitment to professional development and continuous learning, further propelling your career in Human Resources.
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