CIPD: HR professionals boosted their skills in response to pandemic challenges

Nearly two thirds (61%) of UK HR professionals strengthened their skills because of their organisation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest People Profession survey report from the CIPD and Workday showed last year has been positive for most HR professionals, with 43% agreeing that the standing of HR professionals has increased in their organisation due to the pandemic.

When surveyed about their skills last year pre-pandemic, 83% said they felt they had the right skills to deal with any challenges.

The number who have since upskilled (50%) or reskilled (11%) demonstrates how they have stepped up to respond to the changing world of work over the last year.

The annual People Profession survey report from the CIPD explores the perspectives and experiences of over 1,500 people professionals in the UK.

It reveals valuable insights into how people professionals have responded to the pandemic, with many playing a vital role at the heart of their organisational response.

Peter Cheese, chief executive of the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, said: “2020 was an exceptional year for our profession.

“The difficult external circumstances put great demand on all of us, and people professionals have been at the forefront of the organisational response, supporting people, implementing rapid changes, and adapting and learning.

“It’s great to see so many colleagues recognising the need to strengthen their skills and ensure they have the right expertise to guide and make an impact in their organisations in an ever-changing world of work.

“It’s also encouraging to see the standing of HR and people professionals has increased in this challenging time.”