A graduate with a diploma in human resource management (HRM) is equipped with the skills, knowledge, and attitude necessary to perform human resource functions efficiently and effectively toward achieving organizational goals.
With the changing work environment and the coming of the information age, human resource managers should be able to adapt to ensure the organization’s workforce achieves its objective. This course offers that to graduate and much more.
The course is offered from craft certificate level through diploma, higher diploma, bachelor and later students can specialize. Interested students can pursue the HRM course in a TVET institution or university of their choice.
TVET institution uses the KICD curriculum which is evaluated and certified by KNEC to acquire a diploma.
Some of the universities in Kenya that offer human resource-related courses are, KU, Karatina University, Kibabi University, and Moi among others.
In this article, we concentrate on the Diploma in human resource management evaluated by KNEC.
Table of Contents
Objective of the human resource management course
By the end of this Diploma in human resource management, the trainee is expected to be able to do the following specific objectives.
- Understand the role of human resources in the achievement of organizational goals.
- Apply the principles of human resource management in an organization.
- Appreciate the importance of understanding human behaviour in achieving organizational goals.
- Apply the principles and practices of management in enhancing organizational effectiveness.
- Apply quantitative and qualitative techniques in making sound human resource decisions.
- Understand legal provisions that govern labour and industrial relations.
- Adopt emerging trends in human resource management.
HRM course requirements in Kenya
In Kenya any diploma course requires a minimum KCSE grade of C-. This also applies if you wish to pursue your HRM course at any university.
However, it should be noted that you will require basic science knowledge since agriculture is a science-based course.
You can also be admitted to pursue the diploma level course if you have done a Craft certificate in human resource management and passed. Depending on your performance at the craft level you can request KNEC to exempt you from some units. When exempted you will be admitted to module 2 of the diploma instead of module 1.
Diploma in human resource management KNEC units
For the diploma KNEC program, the course is divided into 3 modules/levels which are supposed to take 3 years. The student does the unit in each module and sits for the KNEC exam for those specific units before proceeding to the next level.
For the Diploma in Human Resource Management course, the following are the units that you are required to cover to be certified.
Module 1 units in human resource management
These units equip the learner with skills and competencies to work as a human resource clerk.
- Communication skills.
- Entrepreneurship.
- Foundations of Human Resource Management.
- Office Administration and Management.
- Information Communication Technology.
After modules 1 and 2 students are expected to go for an industrial attachment which is a requirement of the course.
The attaching firm can be any organization with a human resource department for maximum field skills acquisition.
Diploma in Human Resource Management Module 2 units
The module equips the learner with skills and competencies to work as a human resource assistant.
- Principles and Practice of Management.
- Theory and Practice of Human Resource.
- Labour and Industrial Law.
- Public Relations.
- Quantitative Methods
Module 3 units in human resource management
- Labour and Industrial Relations.
- Organization Behaviour.
- Accounting and Control.
- Economics.
- Trade Project.
Careers in Human Resource Management
After you graduate with the diploma you will have enough knowledge to manage human resources within an organization to achieve organization goals.
With a Diploma in HRM, you can progress to a Bachelor’s in Human Resource Management and other related courses. To practice as a professional HR, you can enroll for Certified Human Resource Management Professionals (CHRP).
Later on, you can specialize in areas such as
- Organizational leadership.
- Recruitment.
- Training and benefits.
- HR consulting.
- Labour relation specialist.
- Compensation and benefits specialist.
Employment opportunities in the human resource
With a Diploma in human resource management, you can be employed as a human resource assistant. Other job opportunities in the HR area include.
- Assistant human resource manager
- Recruitment coordinator.
- HR training coordinator.
- Employee relation manager.
- Record and information assistant.
These positions can be in any organization that has a human resource department. This can include, universities, colleges, government agencies, industries, businesses, agriculture sector among all other sectors.