Human resources training makes sense for those working in a HR department, but what about training for non-HR staff? Of course, human resources departments are instrumental in assisting managers with human resource issues and tasks.
But what about small to medium-sized businesses? Businesses with less staff and limited resources often lack a human resource department, and managers need to wear ‘many hats.’ And, those managers with access to a human resources department, do they consult with human resources on every issue? It’s unlikely.
These managers (and businesses) are at risk of putting themselves in a dangerous position when it comes to performing human resources tasks, such as hiring, firing and managing staff performance.
It makes sense that human resources training for those not specifically in human resources, particularly managers or supervisors, protects and ensures the smooth operation of businesses.
What is Human Resources (HR)?
Human resources is the process of managing employees in a business and involves hiring, firing, training, and inspiring employees.
A human resources department is responsible for recruiting and training employees and managing employee-benefit programs.
Human Resources Training. Can Managers Manage Without it?
Career Coach and Former Human Resources Specialist, Kaylyn Taylor, says it’s vital that all managers receive leadership education and human resources training.
If managers lack these crucial skills, the consequences are many, explained Ms Taylor, including a high turnover of employees, costly recruitment, poor productivity, absenteeism and a negative impact on employee mental health.
So, let’s take a look at the top five reasons why managers and businesses should invest in professional development training in human resources.
When it comes to hiring and firing, training is human resources training is important because it’s not just the employees’ rights that need to be considered but also the reputation of the company brand.
“It can be difficult to give ‘soft rejections’ to those who aren’t successful in the recruitment process or those who need to be let go. Managers must be able to protect the company brand in sensitive situations.”
Interviewing skills are not just for the person being interviewed. It’s equally important for managers – the interviewer – to have recruitment and interviewing skills.
“They need to know what questions to ask, how behavioural-based questions work, and they need to ditch the power trip and make sure every single person feels good about the brand.”
A high turnover of employees and absenteeism are two consequences of inadequate leadership and HR training.
“When I worked in corporate recruitment, part of my job was reporting directly to the owner of the business and undertaking a culture assessment.
“There were a few cases where staff retention was the key problem, and when this is happening a lot, it almost always means a poor manager is running the show.
“That’s why I always encourage manager feedback forms and leadership training for anyone in a position where they are managing others,” said Ms Taylor.
When managers develop essential leadership skills and HR training, employees feel happier and become more productive in the workplace.
“It’s proven that happier workplaces result in higher productivity, which results in higher revenue. That means managers need to be able to create a positive and nourishing workplace that inspires people to work effectively.”
Emotional intelligence is the ability to be conscious of, control, and express your emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships sensibly and with empathy.
Having a high emotional intelligence is essential for personal and business success and is particularly important for those in leadership or management positions.
“There are natural-born leaders with high levels of compassion and emotional intelligence, but they’re few and far between.
“Many managers need training in these areas to increase employee loyalty, retention and workforce productivity.”
If you’re a manager and want to develop skills in leadership, human resources and recruitment, you can discover many helpful, professional development courses at Australian Online Courses. Simply visit us online or contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants on 1300 762 221.
Australian Online Courses supports National Skills Week from Monday the 26th of August to Sunday, September 1st to raise the status of practical and vocational learning in Australia.
If you’ve been considering becoming a mentor, you should think about what you want to get out of the relationship, because mentoring is not about managing, it’s about guiding, according to Gayle Fitzpatrick, a mentor with Raise Foundation.
“It’s not about giving the answers, it’s about empowering the mentee to come to their own conclusions. It’s not about judgement, it’s about talking through the subject and discussing multiple perspectives that will enable the mentee to decide what resonates.
“I think mentorship is a crucial element of managing staff and being a part of the Raise Foundation has enabled me to become a better manager and trainer,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
Ms Fitzpatrick, who currently mentors a teenager at school through the Raise Foundation, said her biggest tip is to listen to understand, rather than a reply.
“A lot of these children coming into the program just need someone to hear them.
“A lot of the time, we listen to respond, rather than to listen to understand, and people need to feel that they are understood, especially if you are tackling sensitive or delicate topics.
“You need a mentor you can trust if you are going to open up to them and we can’t expect trust to be established if we aren’t willing to listen to each other,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
“We often think, as we progress in life and through our careers, that we only have things to teach rather than things to learn.
“I think it’s important to understand that, as a manager or a mentor, people that are younger than us or that don’t have as much professional or life experience, can still teach us things.
“Being a good mentor is not exerting your authority, it is as much learning from the mentee as it is guiding them.
“During my first year as a mentor with the Raise Foundation, my mentee, an incredible 15-year-old girl, taught me a lot about myself and how I can grow as a person … much more than I think she will ever know!
“We went on that journey together, and I will always hold that experience dear in my heart,” said Ms Fitzpatrick,
As Head of Marketing for a property company, Ms Fitzpatrick manages staff but is not fond of the term manager, preferring leadership and mentoring.
“Mentoring is about guiding, not managing.
“Not everyone thrives under management or, worse, micro-management.
“They can only really flourish when they have the right guidance. And that guidance is not a one-size-fits-all solution, it has to be adapted to the person and the environment at that moment in time.
“Even the same person will need a different kind of guidance at different times, depending on a whole heap of different factors.”
Mentoring is about empowering the mentee to come to their own conclusions, explained Ms Fitzpatrick.
“When I train my staff, I refuse to give them the answers to a lot of their questions.
“Instead, I ask them a series of questions that allows them to come to the answer themselves.
“It’s not always an easy or quick process, but when they arrive at the answer, they have done it on their own and, when you are early on in your career like a lot of my staff are when they join the company, that can be a huge confidence boost.
“It gives them the means to make their own decisions. It also means that they can come to a conclusion that hasn’t been nudged in a particular direction by our own perceptions or agendas,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
When talking through a scenario or problem in a mentor and mentee relationship, there is no room for judgement, explained Ms Fitzpatrick.
“It takes a while to build the rapport needed for a successful relationship.
“That rapport needs to be treated delicately as it could be easy to damage and difficult to repair, especially if your mentee is vulnerable, as with some of the children in the program for the Raise Foundation.
“At the start of the relationship, it’s important to set boundaries and some expectations, such as confidentiality and limitations.
“You are both then responsible for sticking to them.
Mentoring is Life-Changing for Mentee and Mentor
“I think it’s important to remember that you’re making a positive difference in someone’s life.
“I think back to some of the mentors I have had, both personally and professionally, and some of them probably weren’t even aware of the long-lasting impact they have made on me.
“It’s also important to remember that we all have the opportunity to mentor anyone, anywhere, it doesn’t have to be in an official capacity.
“Everything we do and say, all of our reactions to the things that happen to us, they’re all noticed by someone and can all have an impact on those around us.
“For that reason, we should always be striving to be our best selves. The reward I get from mentoring is one of the most powerful I have felt to date,” said Ms Fitzpatrick.
If you’ve been thinking about mentoring, consider an online professional development course to gain the skills and knowledge required to set the foundations for a successful partnership.
Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring
The Introduction to Coaching and Mentoring with Australian Online Courses will help you to develop the skills to support and sustain improved performance by others.
This online course will help you to develop a professional mentoring relationship with a learner, in particular, an apprentice or trainee employed by, or undertaking a work placement in, a workplace.
You will discover how to design and implement a coaching and mentoring program using adult learning principles and current coaching and mentoring methodologies.
To find out more, contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
Australian Online Courses
Australian Online Courses offers contemporary, online professional development courses coupled with exceptional student support to provide a superior eLearning experience.
Visit us online to discover hundreds of industry-relevant, flexible, online courses covering almost every industry sector. Alternatively, contact one of our friendly Learning Consultants today on 1300 762 221 or via Live Chat.
Today, more than ever, opportunity in the job market is more important than job security. In fact, the job-for-life of past generations is practically non-existent with Australia’s job mobility being closer to three different jobs per decade. (courtesy of McCrindle).
And while job-hopping is more common and accepted, even a natural progression in a career, what if simply changing jobs isn’t enough? Perhaps you’ve become disenchanted with your current career. It makes sense that in a working life that potentially spans 40 years you, your lifestyle, will change. So why shouldn’t your career?
There’s no question, this is a far more challenging position to be in but it’s not as difficult as you might expect with the right guidance. According to Career and Business Strategist Kelly Kozaris there are four major setbacks career-changers experience and they’re not insurmountable.
The benefits, including greater job satisfaction, enhanced mental health and wellbeing, the potential to increase your salary, gain new contacts and learn new and rewarding skills might just be worth the effort.
“Confidence is a wonderful thing and can truly impact an individual’s career,” says Kozaris.
She says the best way to overcome a crisis of confidence is to be clear about your strengths and how your skill-set can be transferred to a new career.
When you list your current skills, you might be surprised how many can be valuable across industries.
“People are unsure of direction when they feel ‘stuck’ …, or they don’t know ‘what’s next’ for them.”
Kozaris says often people stay the course with a career simply because they are good at it and it supports a lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to. But if they no longer find it meaningful it can lead to misery and that’s when it’s time for a change.
To obtain more clarity or direction:
“Financial setbacks are a big issue when it comes to career change and ‘not having the money’ is one of the biggest excuses I hear.”
Kozaris says making time and planning a career transition is a big investment in yourself. However, it becomes financially rewarding in the future when your salary increases, or when a new business venture is formed.
Make it financially viable
“Not knowing what your future looks like … can hold a lot of people back from living the life they want or doing the work they love.”
Everyone’s personal risk factor is different, says Kozaris, and it will impact any career change decisions you make.
Kozaris says the best way to overcome each of these setbacks is through personal development to understand the blocks and obstacles facing your career change. “I recommend my clients find out what works for them including reading, writing and journaling, listening to podcasts and locking in 10 to 20 minutes a day.”
However, Kozaris warns if mental illness is a factor, speak to an industry professional prior to reaching out to a career coach for support.
If a career change is in your future why not start with a professional development course in the industry that appeals to you? At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping people from all walks of life to achieve their career goals.
Do people feel like you take a genuine interest in them? That’s because you do – you can’t fake it and you don’t need to. You’re a people person. You have that special quality that can’t be bought or taught – charisma!
And while your people skills are valuable at social gatherings and parties they’re also just as essential as any other skill when it comes to discovering a rewarding and lucrative career.
You might not realise it, but leveraging your extroversion, caring personality and high-level interpersonal skills can be a game-changer when it comes to finding a career that not only fulfills you but also rewards you with commensurate salary.
According to Career Consultant Leah Lambart of Relaunch Me there are many careers that not only require high level “people skills” but are integral to the position.
So if you’re a social butterfly looking for a career that meets your expectations, consider one of the Top 10 Careers for Those with People Skills and the 10 High Earning Careers for Social Butterflies according to Lambart.
If you’re unsure about how your personality translates to a perfect match career, Lambart recommends a personality assessment. She says as part of her career coaching work, she uses a career-focused personality assessment tool called Career Magnifier. You can also try the 16 Personalities Test or for a more detailed assessment, try MBTI Personality Test.
If your current career isn’t a good match consider taking a new direction with an online education course offering flexible delivery so you can study at your own pace.
Australian Online Courses offers professional development and certificate courses that are delivered completely online via our e-learning system, giving students the flexibility to study anywhere and at any time.
So you’ve figured out you need people in your work life. Now take the next step by studying what you’re passionate about. Australian Online Courses offers a range of online courses that compliment your social skills for career success.
Top career choices for those with people skills and high earning roles include Human Resources, Recruitment and Industrial Relations. If this sounds like a smart career move, why not enrol in Certificate of Employee and Industrial Relations, which provides skills and knowledge to manage employee and industrial relations matters in an organisation. This online professional development course can lead to a rewarding career where your people skills are valued and rewarded.
Or a Recruitment Consultant Training Program, offering skills and tools to succeed in the exciting and fast-paced recruitment industry. This online course for new recruitment consultants is a sales focused program aimed at helping new recruiters build their desk with a focus on new business development.
You’ve probably heard the term ‘logistics’ before, and you probably know its basic meaning. But do you know much about the logistics industry?
Basically, those working in logistics handle a business’ supply chain, and logistics personnel are in charge of ensuring a business has the supplies it needs to run successfully.
Chances are, you probably haven’t ever considered working in logistics. It’s not a glamorous position—you didn’t spend your childhood dreaming about your future in logistics—but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great career option.
Every industry has benefits, but starting down the logistics career path now is a great idea. Here are the top four reasons why you should consider a career in the logistics sector.
The technology boom has had a massive impact on the way logistics personnel manage supply chains, and the impact emerging technologies have on the logistics sector is going to continue to grow. Continuous innovation makes now an exciting and dynamic time to work within the logistics industry.
In 2013, the logistics industry contributed $131.6 billion to the Australian economy, and the industry has only continued to grow since then. For those chasing job certainty in a stable industry, logistics could be exactly what you’re looking for!
The globalisation of the business world means logistics teams need to supply goods all around the world. Not only has this made the industry a lot more interesting to work in, it continues to generate opportunities.
If you search for logistics job opportunities in Australia, you’ll find over 11,000 results! New opportunities are added daily across all job levels, so you’ll easily be able to find an opportunity that suits your needs.
In fact, studying a Certificate of Logistics and Supply Chain Management is one of the top 10 courses that will get you a job!
Because new opportunities are opening up so rapidly, there’s always opportunities for those in logistics to rise through the ranks. The logistics sector tends to promote from within, so working hard and making a good impression is important.
With almost every business in Australia requiring some form of supply chain management, it’s easy to see why every career opportunity in the logistics industry would be different. A typical day in a logistics position could see you organise the supply chain for a massive, international conglomerate as well as for your local, independent grocery store.
The sheer size of the logistics industry means you’ll always be doing something different, so it’s impossible to get bored.
So, you’ve decided a career in logistics is the right option for you, but what should you do next to make sure you get the position you desire?
Brush up on your organisation and time-management skills.
The importance of good time-management skills is obvious when you’re in charge of ensuring business’ have the supplies they need to run successfully. Organisation is a learned skill, so if you need a little help, here are five secrets to better time-management in the workplace.
Study a logistics course.
Learning the skills you need to work in logistics will give you a leg up when applying for jobs. Completing a Certificate of Logistics and Supply Chain Management or a Certificate of Export Logistics will not only give you the knowledge and skills you need, but will also demonstrate your work ethic and dedication to your potential employers.
Make sure employers can’t look past you.
To make sure you get the job you want, you need to make yourself as employable as possible. Studying an online course will help you, but so will making sure you have the must-have skills employers want.
You’re never too old to study, so whether you’re returning to the workforce or you’re straight out of high school, studying a course in logistics could be the best and most logical career move you ever make!
The procurement industry has become an integral part of many businesses, but if you still don’t know what it is, you’re not the only one. Procurement often flies under the radar of job seekers, not because there aren’t any opportunities (there are plenty!), but because there are at least 99 different job titles to describe procurement roles.
So, what exactly is procurement? Basically, procurement involves the purchasing of goods and services and everything that entails, from sourcing goods, establishing connections, creating contracts, analysing value, financing and inventory control to name a few.
Understanding what procurement is makes it easy to understand why businesses need procurement professionals: everyone needs to make purchases. There is room for procurement in a large portion of businesses, which means there’s plenty opportunities for job seekers!
There are so many benefits that come with a career in the procurement sector, and here are just a few of them.
1. There are plenty of opportunities in procurement
A quick google search brings up more than 3,000 opportunities in Australia. That’s an incredible amount, and if you keep in mind there are about 100 potential job titles for procurement professionals, there are plenty of other roles you could search for to find the perfect opportunity for you.
2. Procurement is a high-paying industry
A full-time Procurement Manager in Australia could expect a salary between $150,000 and $210,000. As a part of the business administration and management sector, procurement courses are delivering big bucks to students upon course completion.
3. A career in procurement can take you across the globe
The thing about businesses is that no matter what country they’re in, they all need to buy things. Don’t want to work overseas, but like the idea of travel? Procurement has your back there as well, as travelling to meet with international suppliers might be necessary in many organisations.
4. Procurement professionals get great exposure
The procurement industry exposes professionals to senior stakeholders like no other career. In the procurement industry, doors are opened for professionals based often on performance rather than seniority, so even junior staff will have the opportunity to network with key stakeholders.
5. Every day in a procurement role is different
Some jobs can be monotonous: each day, you arrive at the same time, read the same emails, make the same phone calls, sit through the same boring meetings, and come back the next day for the exact same routine. A career in procurement couldn’t be more different. Every day will be different from the last, especially if you work in a consultancy environment!
Now you’ve seen the benefits, what’s the next step to ensuring you get the procurement position you desire? First, you need to make sure you have the skills necessary to succeed.
Confidence
Procurement professionals are given a lot of responsibility early on in their career, so it’s important you have the confidence in your ability to get the job done, especially when you’re working with senior stakeholders.
Analytical Skills
A lot of the procurement industry involves problem solving, logistics and making things work. You need to be able to analyse the options to help you choose the best solution.
Decision-Making Skills
Procurement is all about making decisions. What do you need to buy? When do you to receive it? Can you afford it? Procurement professionals make so many decisions every day, so you need to have the skills to make the right choices.
Communication Skills
Good communication skills are essential for almost every career, and a position in the procurement industry isn’t any different. Procurement professionals need to be able to communicate effectively to be successful in their role.
These skills are very universal, nd can be easily transferred from career to career. But, if you think you need to brush up on a few of those skills, they’re skills that you can learn!
The best way to ensure a long, successful career in the procurement industry is to set yourself up well right from the start. Studying a Certificate of Procurement and Contract Management will not only give you the knowledge you need to work in the industry, but will also give you the confidence you need to get your foot in the door.
The Certificate of Procurement and Contract Management is a completely online course, so you can learn at your own pace from the comfort of your home. There are so many benefits that come from studying online, a lot of which you can’t get from a university degree.
If you’re looking to start your career in the procurement industry, make sure you check out the Certificate of Procurement and Contract Management online course. Whether you’re brand new to the workforce, or you’re returning to study after a significant career, the procurement industry could be the right fit for you.
The job market has changed dramatically in the past decade, with areas such as aged care, social media and logistics really coming to the fore. For job-seekers, this means there are new and exciting career opportunities which can be accessed without going to university. Flexible online courses are available, allowing you to acquire industry-approved skills while you study anywhere and at any time.
So what courses are in demand with employers? Here are 9 of the best:
Click here to view all our available courses:- australianonlinecourses.com.au
With thousands of law firms across Australia, they represent one of the most desirable workplaces for office personnel wanting to work in the professional services sector.
Key administration roles are crucial to the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of law firms, including the all-important job of legal transcriptionist. As the name indicates, one of the key functions of a transcriptionist is to turn audio recordings into written documents.
Such transcriptions are typically made from court proceedings, dictated notes and a range of other sources of legal record. Transcriptionists also often perform other tasks such as preparing legal documents and paperwork for filing.
Speed and accuracy are vital
Students wanting to equip themselves with the skills to work in a legal office or in a freelance role should consider online education courses such as a Certificate of Legal Transcription course. Look for an online professional development program that gives you the requisite knowledge and skills to perform at a high level.
A clear focus of this kind of online study is speed and accuracy, both in terms of touch-typing skills and accurate transcribing. You will also need to learn how to understand and use legal terminology, gather and organise information, learn how to plan, and draft and prepare complex legal documents. Other specific skills and areas of knowledge covered in these kinds of courses include:
Legal transcriptionists fulfil different duties to court reporters and stenographers. Unlike, for example, a court reporter who uses special shorthand and stenography equipment to transcribe the spoken word, transcriptionists use a computer keyboard to transcribe dictated recordings. In addition to typing, legal transcriptionists must continually edit information for clarity and ensure the copy is free of spelling, punctuation, grammar and typographical errors. Some of them may also use special transcription machines.
On course for a great career
No formal degree programs are required to become a legal transcriptionist, but the job acts as an important support role for lawyers and other law firm employees. Many workers use such a role to gain experience in the legal system and eventually work as legal assistants, paralegals and lawyers. As a result, legal transcriptionist training through online learning can put people on the path to a long and successful career.
Australian Online Courses offers a Certificate of Legal Transcription course which is delivered completely online via our e-learning system, giving students the flexibility to study anywhere and at any time. They can complete the course, which takes about 150 hours, at their own pace. It is one of a number of popular transcription courses AOC offers, including the Advanced Certificate of Transcription, which equips graduates with all the skills required to work in the legal or medical sectors.
View the Certificate of Legal Transcription course. For details on the great range of courses available at Australian Online Courses, view our course catalogue.
Cost-effective online courses are giving people the skills to pursue rewarding careers and may be a more relevant option for many students than a long and expensive university degree. Here are 5 reasons to go online.
The skyrocketing costs of a university education are making many students rethink whether they want to sign up to years of potential debt for a degree that may or may not get them a job. Online courses, by contrast, typically focus on practical skills that are in demand in the workforce – and are available at a fraction of the cost of a university education.
Online education is all about choice. You can select which courses you want to do, how many you want to tackle, when you want to study and how long you will need to graduate. That sort of flexibility is rarely available with university degrees.
Of course, you also have the luxury of studying from home, a café, or anywhere for that matter. That means time-consuming commutes to a university campus are not required. You just log on to the internet and get stuck into your course material.
At reputable online education providers, courses are developed in consultation with industry professionals so graduates have the comfort of knowing that their newly acquired skills will be relevant in the workforce. A Certificate or Statement of Attainment is issued upon completion to add to your CV. While many university degrees in areas such as legal, media and business studies have been highly regarded in the past, the sheer volume of graduates in tighter job markets can make it hard to get a job in those disciplines. Practical certificate courses, on the other hand, often deliver the skills employers need.
Online courses are just the click of a key away – all your assignments and supporting materials can be accessed whenever you need them. Whereas you often have to attend campus lectures to get the most out of a university subject, there is around-the clock access to lectures, videos and teacher notes in the online world. The best online educators also offer seven-day-a-week access to tutors if you need them.
Let’s face it, we live in an online world – and that means studying and working remotely will become more and more common in the years to come. Signing up to an online course allows you to immediately immerse yourself in an environment where higher-level computer skills and up-to-date learning platforms are the norm. It’s the best of both worlds – you get the flexibility of online study while also picking up the IT skills that can make a difference in modern workplaces.
For details on the great range of courses available at Australian Online Courses, visit australianonlinecourses.com.au
The New Year is a logical time to reassess your life and career goals – and take the necessary steps to achieve real change.
If you are in a rut at work or still procrastinating over your dream job, now is the chance to re-evaluate and do something you really love. The good news is that flexible, affordable online study options mean you can start a relevant course immediately and set yourself up for 2017 and beyond. Here are some resolutions to consider.
What job would you do if money and other considerations were not a factor? The New Year holiday break gives you a chance to sit back and think about your career and what job really appeals to you. Are there certain industries or roles that pique your interest whenever you read about them? Or perhaps there is a desirable job in your present company that you could do if you upgraded your skills. Allocating time to weigh up your job options is the first step towards pursuing a rewarding career. So stop and think.
Landing a coveted role usually requires some soul-searching and research. Are my skills up to date? Are they relevant for the job I really want? An honest appraisal of such questions will help you weigh up the course or courses you need to do to ensure your résumé stands out. Some jobs will require a university degree, but increasingly people are finding that completing a reputable online course is the key to quickly and cost-effectively improving their knowledge and skills. There are many online study options, but make sure they tick the box in key areas such as administrative and technology support; flexibility with course and assignment deadlines; and around-the-clock access to tutors.
When determining an online course, check that the education provider has a reputation for delivering industry-approved courses. If you are going to spend time studying, it is important that the course and skills resonate with future bosses.
So be clear about what you want to get out of the course. Some jobs simply require certain skill-sets, while others will be linked to a certificate course that applicants must pass. Knowing exactly what you want to achieve will also help you stay motivated as you study.
Successfully juggling commitments to work, study, family and friends is the key to a happy and successful life. As you prepare to fast-track your career, take advantage of the flexibility of online courses. You can enrol online and study at your own pace while balancing other commitments in your life. Select an online education provider that lets you submit assignments when it suits you and gives you choice around graduation timelines. But remember that online courses are a convenient option, not an easy option. You need to make a commitment to your course and assignments, safe in the knowledge that ramping up your skills is likely to pay off in the form of a more fulfilling future career.
For more details on the great range of courses at Australian Online Courses, visit australianonlinecourses.com.au
