Competence-based Assessment and Certification of HR Professionals “HR WEB COMPASS” Vision and Main Objectives Elmira Bancheva, Ph.D

Project questions How BHRMDA define the standards for what constitutes an HR professional; and the competencies they need to be able to apply at the various levels of professional activity; How BHRMDA could certify the attainment of professional standards; and the learning and development routes that can be pursued to keep those competencies up to date; Whether there are generic standards of professionalism in human resource management common to the standards in other countries; and, if so, what professional standards might be appropriate to certify the attainment of those competencies.

Methodology A systematic review of national and international best practice in HRM/HRD A survey of public and private VET providers of HRM/HRD practices Interviews with key HR Professionals and VET practitioners Case studies – through interview and observations of HR professionals and VET providers to establish current learning and development practices Document analyses Dialogue with different networks (industries, professional associations, etc). Outcomes On the basis of this study BHRMDA, in partnership with The School of Management, NBU, introduced for the first time in Bulgaria occupational standards for HR professionals corresponding closely to the internationally recognized standards of CIPD (UK). Furthermore BHRMDA established an Institute of Certified HR Professionals as an awarding body and an Assessment Center at the School of Management, NBU.

Competence and Competencies Job performance Behavior Competencies Knowledge Attitudes Capabilities Context Corporative culture Standard’s requirements Feedback Result TechnologyResources Skills PeersBoss Competence

ICP BHRMDA

Quality Assurance System Standards for competence of HR Professionals Awarding membership External Examiner Internal Examiner Assessor

Procedure for accreditation of PAC Centres Award Committee Centre for PAC External verifier Audits Report ICP Assign Application for accreditation Lettre for accreditation Report Decision

WEB HR COMPASS Target groups 1. Life long learners HR professionals By extension - all managerial and professional staff, students 2. Assessors, advisors, verifiers, administrative staff from Centers for assessment and development (CAD), Awarding Bodies and even Universities

Needs of Target groups Lifelong learners Easy and appropriate access User friendly interface Different and easier ways for collecting and presenting evidences Facilitation of the process - easy access to the “library” with different helps Higher objectivity of assessment Recognition of Vocational qualifications throughout EU

Needs of Target groups Assessors, advisors, verifiers, administrative staff Easy and appropriate access User friendly interface Transparency Systematic arrangements for registering and explaining the evaluation decisions Traceability Easier communications between themselves Less paperwork Facilitation of the process - easy access to the “library” with different helps

Aims and objectives To develop and pilot a system and environment for valuing formal, non formal and informal learning of HR professionals through reliable identification, assessment and recognition of competence To support preparation of a base for transfer and mutual recognition of formal certificates and diplomas awarded to people who have met transnational competence-based standards To develop a system capable for use in competence-based assessment of other categories of professionals To pilot several innovations To promote the lifelong learning, creating possibilities for its recognition To facilitate and extend the access to the evaluation To create a competence data base

Expected results International network established Key processes of WEB COMPASS identified Guides for different stakeholders Competence framework appropriate for 360 degree assessment Software incl. Code and system logic - developed and tested HR WEB COMPASS system, including the software - piloted Trained stakeholders Quality assurance system in place Results disseminated properly