Aspiring Human Resources specialists in Canada are increasingly pursuing valuable certifications to enhance their employment prospects. Some of the prominent benefits of HR certifications include skill development, access to professional networking, and improved know-how. Moreover, these certifications can also be obtained by working HR professionals seeking to accelerate their career growth.
How to become a Human Resource Specialist? This blog tells you how!
We’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide to starting your career as a Human Resource Specialist in Canada, top HR Certification programs, duration, and more.
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Steps to Start Your Career as a Human Resource Specialist
Ready to build your career as an HR specialist? Start on the right note by taking the steps below:
Understand the Value of an HR Certification
An HR certificate demonstrates your ability to work as an HR professional. While freshers enroll in these certification programs to enter the workforce, working professionals choose them to advance their careers.
With so many choices available today, it can be challenging for you to determine the actual value of a certification. What may work for others may not work for you. Here are a few things to remember:
- Ensure you thoroughly review the course content to determine if it aligns with your specific career goals. If it doesn’t, it hardly holds any value for you.
- Check for the skills taught. HR Management, HR Dashboarding, Employee Retention, Performance Management, HR People Analytics, and Talent Acquisition are top skills that can make your resume stand out.
- Who are the mentors? A highly credentialed faculty can add unparalleled value to your learning experience.
Choose the Right Certification Body
How to become HR certified? By choosing the right certification body. Here are a few factors to keep in view:
- Select a certification program offered by a reputed college/institution.
- Check the accreditation of the program (whether it’s recognized by employers or not).
- Check for future employability prospects upon obtaining the certification.
Check Eligibility Requirements
Are you eligible for the course? This should be one of the first things to check out when researching HR certification courses. Additionally, eligibility requirements may vary depending on the program and college.
Here is a look at the requirements commonly asked for:
- A Bachelor’s degree (most colleges ask for it)
- Relevant work experience (required in some cases)
- A Master’s degree (may be asked in some cases)
Prepare for the Certification Exam
You have completed researching the HR certification courses and selected the one that best suits your needs. Now what?
It’s time to learn and earn the certificate. Here are a few ways to maximize your learning experience and complete your certification with flying colors:
- Never miss the doubt resolution sessions.
- Be a part of the online communities consisting of your batchmates and faculty.
- Keep preparing case studies beyond your coursework to hone your skills.
Keep Upskilling
Once you complete a program and become a certified HR professional in Canada, keep signing up for further certification courses to facilitate:
- Mid-career growth
- Upskilling
- Wider networking opportunities
Also Read: Highest Paying HR Jobs in Canada
Top HR Certifications Recognized in Canada
If you want to give your HR career a flying start, we recommend exploring the Professional Certificate Programme in HR Management and Analytics at the Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode.
Designed for both freshers and working professionals, this course is your access to top-notch accreditation, unmatched coursework, and a world-class faculty. Here’s a look at its quick highlights, duration, fees, etc:
| Coursework | Course Duration | Fees | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hands-on HR Analytics Modules | |||
| 14+ Live Sessions | Managers/HR Professionals focused on deriving key insights. | ||
| 3 Case Studies Driven by IIMK Faculty | MBA Graduates keen on learning HR People Analytics. | ||
| Practical Hands-on Capstone Project | 6 Months | CAD 3,262 | Non-HR professionals looking for career acceleration. |
| Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certification | Freshers | ||
| Professional Certification in HR Management From IIM-K |
Also Read: HR Career Paths: From Generalist to Specialist Roles
Advance Your HR Career with upGrad
upGrad’s partnership with IIM, Kozhikode, ensures that you have access to:
- Dedicated career coaches after the completion of the program
- Job interview preparation support
- AI-powered inputs for your profile
- Personalized coaching sessions by industry experts
- Masters of Business Administration (MBA), O.P. Jindal Global University
- Master of Business Administration, Paris School of Business
- Master of Business Administration, Golden Gate University
- Master of Business Administration, Edgewood College
- Master of Business Administration (MBA), Liverpool Business School
- Dual Degree MBA and DBA, Edgewood College
🎓 Explore Our Top-Rated Courses in Canada
Take the next step in your career with industry-relevant online courses designed for working professionals in Canada.
FAQs on How to Become a Certified HR Professional in Canada
Q: What is the best HR certification in Canada?
Ans: Regardless of whether you want to make your entry into the workforce or accelerate your career growth, you must explore IIM, Kozhikode’s Professional Certificate Programme in HR Management and Analytics for its:
- Top-notch accreditation
- Unmatched coursework
- Focus on in-demand skills like HR Management, HR Dashboarding, HR People Analytics, and others.
Q: Is CPHR mandatory to work in HR in Canada?
Ans: No, a CPHR or Chartered Professional in Human Resources designation is not really mandatory to work in Human Resources in Canada. However, you should consider it for a competitive edge, improved skills (especially Canadian HR laws), and overall better career opportunities.
Q: What is the difference between CPHR and CHRP?
Ans: CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) has been renamed CPHR or Chartered Professional in Human Resources. While Ontario still maintains the CHRP designation, the rest of Canada has shifted to CPHR.
Q: Do I need a degree to get HR certified?
Ans: While a degree is not mandatory for HR certification, some institutions or colleges may require it, while others may require a combination of a degree and work experience.
Q: What is the cost of an HR certification in Canada?
Ans: The average cost of HR certification in Canada varies depending on the colleges or institutions offering it. The Professional Certificate Programme in HR Management and Analytics from IIM, Kozhikode, costs CAD 3,262.
