Critical competencies for emerging human resource practitioners navigating the changing world of work

Abstract

Orientation: Studies show a need to enhance the competencies of emerging human resource (HR) practitioners to ensure their effectiveness, competence and sustainability in organisations and the field of HR.
Research purpose: This study explored the competencies (skills, knowledge and abilities) that are particularly pertinent to emerging HR practitioners as they adapt to the changing dynamics of the South African and global workplace.
Motivation for the study: The changing world of work, including the role of new and advanced technologies and the challenges of employability.
Research approach/design and method: A qualitative descriptive research strategy was utilised, following an interpretivist paradigm. Non-probability convenience sampling and purposive sampling were employed, and the sample consisted of n = 64 HR managers. A qualitative survey on the QuestionPro platform was used to collect data, and a thematic analysis was conducted.
Main findings: Human resource managers highlighted 15 key competencies that emerging HR practitioners need. These competencies include business acumen, diversity and inclusion, employee wellness, HR service delivery, labour relations and employment law, risk management and compliance, strategic human resource management, talent management, workforce planning, cognitive skills, communication skills, consulting skills, executive presence, HR analytics and metrics and HR research methods.
Practical/managerial implications: Organisations can attract a competent, readily employable talent pool, while emerging HR practitioners benefit from industry insights into the competencies employers will require currently and for the future world of work.
Contribution/value-add: Identified competencies provide emerging HR practitioners with valuable insights into employers’ and industry expectations, enabling them to enhance the competencies most critical to employability strategically. The findings offer employers, academics and industry stakeholders a framework to align HR education and professional development programmes with current and future work demands.