Formal National Standards for HR Professional Designation

February 1 2003 - New national standards for the designation that distinguishes Canada's human resources practitioners, the CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) have been launched at a gala at the National Gallery in Ottawa. The move to national standards has been led by the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA), which represents over 22,000 human resource professionals across Canada.

The official launch of national standards was attended by project volunteers from across the country and representatives from Human Resources Development Canada, a project partner that provided significant support and guidance.

"National standards will define what constitutes an HR professional everywhere in Canada and create a valuable qualification for human resources practitioners as they advance their careers," says Anne Charette, CCHRA President. "We are very excited about the new national CHRP designation's potential to unite our profession and increase the recognition of the contribution we make to thriving Canadian businesses."

New processes for certification and re-certification were drafted by national committees. Practitioners will be required to write two exams for initial certification, the first testing academic knowledge and then an outcomes-based assessment where applicants demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge and experience in the workplace. Existing CHRP designees will maintain their CHRP credential, and will be expected to re-certify every three years through professional development activities.

"The new program signifies a major step forward for the profession," states Charette. "The CHRP designation will become a trademark of excellence in the application of human resources skills and knowledge, and will stand for the same level of excellence and quality in every part of the country."

At present the CHRP designation is directly issued or granted in only seven provinces across the country. By creating a national program, the CHRP designation acquires a measurable set of standards that confirms the ability of the professionals who hold it, while creating a consistent - and stronger - definition of what the CHRP designation stands for.

"This is an evolution of the human resources designation, because our profession has changed," says Charette. "Today, human resources managers play a much bigger part in Canadian business, and are instrumental in developing and executing corporate strategy. They guide the management of the most complicated asset of any business - its people."