Human resources professionals in Kenya will undergo fresh vetting before being allowed to practice. New rules released by the Institute of Human Resources Management (IHRM), which also require practitioners to have practicing certificates, are likely to lock out many human resource professionals with questionable credentials and records.
Speaking today during the launch of the rules and code of conduct for the profession at Safari Park Hotel, IHRM Council chairman Paul Kasimu said the move is aimed at raising the credibility of the profession by through enhanced performance bar and rooting out masqueraders.
“The institute will register members upon the approval of the examinations board, which will issue certificates,” he said. “HR professionals will be required to keep upgrading their skills to ensure renewal of their practising certificates.”
IHRM was established under the Human Resource Management Professionals Act 2012 as the regulatory body for human resources professionals in the country. The Act came into operation on January 4, 2013 after being assented to by President Mwai Kibaki on December 31, 2012.
Mr Kasimu said the main objective of the law was to provide a legal framework for training and regulation of activities of human resource professionals to enhance enforcement of HR management standards. It also spells out how to deal with disciplinary cases.
“This will improve the quality of service and protect clients and the general citizenry from incompetent and unqualified people masquerading as human resource practitioners. We want HR to move beyond hiring and firing to driving business growth through talent management.”
Mr Kasimu, who was accompanied by members of the IHRM Council, said implementation of the Act had been delayed by a court dispute over the composition of the interim council. He said with that out of the way, registration rules have been gazzetted and are being applied in recruiting new members. He added that election for new council members will be held by December.
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