Core Units

5CO01: Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice

Aims of Unit:

This unit examines the connections between organisational structure and the wider world of work in a business context. It highlights the factors and trends, including the digital environment, that impact on business strategy and workforce planning, recognising the influence of culture, employee wellbeing and behaviour in delivering change and organisational performance.

What you will learn

You will learn about the connections between organisational structure, strategy and the business operating environment. You will analyse external factors and trends and assess organisational priorities and issues, including the scale of technology within organisations. You will also interpret theories and models of organisational and human behaviour and the drivers for change. Finally, you will discuss the link between the employee lifecycle and different people practice roles and how people practice connects with and supports wider people and organisational strategies. You will focus on how to support internal customer needs and ensure that business goals and objectives are delivered in line with customer requirements.

5CO02: Evidence-based Practice

Aims of Unit:

This unit addresses the significance of capturing robust quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform meaningful insight and influence critical thinking. It focuses on analysing evidence through an ethical lens to improve decision-making and how measuring the impact of people practice is essential in creating value.

What you will learn

You will develop understanding of the concepts of evidence-based practice and the tools and methods that are applied to diagnose issues, challenges and opportunities. You will explain the principles of critical thinking and assess how different ethical perspectives can influence decision-making. Key insights and analysis tools and methods will be covered, and you will interpret data relating to a people practice issues before presenting your findings and evaluating the benefits, risks and financial implications of solutions. Finally, you will be able to explain how to measure the impact and value people practice contributions make to the organisation.

5CO03: Professional Behaviours and Valuing People

Aims of Unit:

This unit focuses on how applying core professional behaviours such as ethical practice, courage and inclusivity can build positive working relationships and support employee voice and wellbeing. It considers how developing and mastering new professional behaviours and practice can impact performance.

What you will learn

You will explore professional and ethical behaviours in the context of people practice by appraising what it means to be a people professional and how personal and ethical values can be applied, including contributing to discussions with confidence and conviction to influence others. You will learn how to champion inclusive and collaborative strategies, arguing the human and business benefits of inclusive behaviours and the right to be fairly treated at work. Additionally, you will design and evaluate solutions aimed at building positive working relationships. Finally, you will demonstrate personal commitment to learning, professional development and performance improvement by exploring how the role of a people professional is evolving. You will also assess your own strengths, weaknesses and development areas and formulate a range of CPD activities to support your learning journey.

Pathway Units

5HR01: Employment Relationship Management

Aims of Unit:

This unit examines the key approaches, practices and tools to manage and enhance the employee relationship to create better working lives and the significant impact this can have on organisational performance.

What you will learn

You will develop understanding of practices aimed at supporting better working lives, differentiating between employee involvement and participation. You will also learn about conflict and misbehaviour, assessing emerging trends in conflict and industrial sanctions, third-party conciliation, mediation and arbitration. Finally, you will learn about performance, disciplinary and grievance matters and how to manage these lawfully.

5HR02: Talent Management and Workforce Planning

Aims of Unit:

This unit focuses on the impact of effective workforce planning in considering the development of diverse talent pools and how to contract and onboard the workforce. It also includes analysis of the potential cost to the organisation if this is poorly managed and the tools and interventions required to mitigate this risk.

What you will learn

You will extend your understanding of labour market trends and their significance for workforce planning. You will explain how organisations position themselves and the impact of a changing labour market on resourcing decisions. You will evaluate techniques to support workforce planning and assess the strengths and weaknesses of different methods of recruitment and selection aimed at building effective workforces. Additionally, you will examine turnover and retention trends and compare different approaches to developing and retaining talent. Finally, you will learn about the importance of managing contractual arrangements and onboarding.

5HR03: Reward for Performance and Contribution

Aims of Unit:

This unit focuses on how internal and external business factors influence reward strategies and policies, the financial drivers of the organisation and the impact of reward costs and rewarding performance.

What you will learn

You will learn about the principles of reward and its importance to culture and performance management and how policies and practices are implemented. You will explain how contingent rewards impact individual, team and organisation performance, and the different types of benefits and recognition schemes offered by organisations. You will evaluate the most appropriate ways in which data can be gathered and measured to develop insight from benchmarking data. Additionally, you will explain legislative requirements that impact reward practice.

Optional Unit

5OS04: People Management in an International Context

Aims of Unit:

This unit is designed to provide people practitioners with the necessary knowledge and understanding to effectively manage people in an international context.

What you will learn

You will examine contextual factors relating to managing people from an international perspective and assess the drivers and benefits of employment in an international context. You will explain how convergent and divergent approaches can shape policy and practice and learn about the factors relevant in selecting and resourcing people with a specific skillset, as well as the challenges and cultural differences to consider. Additionally, you will evaluate the reasons expatriates are used for international working and the formation of appropriate policies and processes for selecting, preparing and managing overseas repatriation.