Amid the many business challenges brought about by the pandemic, the role of HR professionals has evolved significantly in recent years. With companies increasingly navigating remote work and talent shortages, HR professionals have found themselves at the seat of the table, managing a myriad of complex issues. In this changing landscape, the Malta Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD) has remained steadfast in its support for local HR professionals.

Building on its established legacy accrued over the past 30 years, FHRD has continued to expand its offerings to provide a supportive community, valuable resources, and enhanced professional credibility. Now, the Foundation has introduced a new Professional Membership Scheme tailored specifically for HR professionals in Malta, offering them greater credibility and support they need to excel in their roles.

For CEO Karen Muscat Baldacchino, who is responsible for setting and driving the organisational vision and operational strategy, the new scheme is a logical progression of FHRD's mission to enhance the credibility of HR professionals in the local landscape.

“We’re very proud to be launching this scheme, which is the first of its kind in Malta. Focusing on individual certification, the scheme will allow HR professionals to be recognised by FHRD for their individual level of competence in HR. It's a crucial step in our ongoing mission to set national standards and elevate the field of human resources across Malta,” Ms Muscat Baladcchino explains, going on to highlight the comprehensive strategy the Foundation already has in place to support HR professionals in Malta.

Through its Association of HR Practitioners, FHRD provides corporate memberships with a range of benefits tailored to organisations. Corporate Members gain access to exclusive newsletters, insightful articles, monthly networking events, and discounted rates on accredited courses, seminars, and the Annual HR conference.

Naturally, education and training play a crucial role in the ongoing professional development of HR professionals, especially as trends and best practices evolve. FHRD offers a variety of continuous professional development programmes throughout the year, all accredited as Level 5 Awards by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). These programmes cover diverse areas such as Training the Trainer, Practical Applications in Maltese Employment Law, HR Management and Training, and High-Impact Recruitment and Selection Techniques. Additionally, FHRD serves as an authorised promoter for the University of Leicester, providing access to academic programmes across various fields.

Furthermore, FHRD also devised the HR Quality Mark, a standard that acknowledges organisations for their effective HR practices. This mark evaluates various aspects of a business’s HR implementation, including talent, strategy, engagement, career, efficiency, and relations.

Explaining the rationale behind the new Professional Membership Scheme, Ms Muscat Baldacchino shares, “We aimed to develop a certification that caters to all HR professionals, regardless of their career stage, from students to seasoned experts. That's why the scheme offers three distinct levels, namely Student, Associate, and Fellow, ensuring individuals receive appropriate recognition based on their experience. As they gain more expertise in the HR field, they can advance through the levels.”

The Student level is designed for those starting in HR, showing commitment to academic growth and paving the way for professional recognition. The Associate level suits junior to mid-level HR professionals handling operational or administrative tasks through roles that may include HR Administrator, Generalist, Specialist, Business Partner, or Assistant Manager. The Fellow level targets senior HR professionals in strategic roles, with extensive experience in strategic projects, consultancy, and responsibilities in senior management teams.

“The programme is open year-round, and candidates are required to submit their CVs for eligibility review by FHRD. Students must provide proof of their current full-time enrolment with their university or college. The assessment then varies by certification level. Associates undergo a multiple-choice examination, while Fellows submit a more extensive report focusing on nine competencies from FHRD's pre-defined framework of 18, illustrating their first-hand HR experience with real-life examples. In these instances, we engaged a foreign organisation with over 15 years of experience in accessing professionals to evaluate these reports and ensure fair assessment, followed by one-to-one candidate interviews. Our goal is to ensure assessments accurately reflect each candidate's expertise and experience,” Ms Muscat Baldacchino explains.

Upon passing the assessment and becoming members, individuals receive more than just a certification. They gain entry to a password-protected portal on the FHRD website, offering various resources like podcasts and leadership articles with practical insights. Additionally, there's a forum for HR professionals to discuss topics and issues, along with a dedicated page for HR job listings. At the Fellow level, members also receive summaries of legal tribunal disputes from local law firms, providing valuable insights into potential business impacts. FHRD also offers digital badges to all members, allowing them to showcase their achievements on social media and in email signatures.

Beyond certification and resources, FHRD also aims to foster a supportive community for HR professionals in Malta, offering advice, networking opportunities, informative seminars, and more. The CEO and her team collaborate with local partners to organise such events, addressing a whole range of industry topics. As Ms Muscat Baladacchino elaborates: “Our networking events have become sought-after events in the industry and are regularly well attended. We target current challenges and realities, so people see the need for them, and with the HR world evolving at such a rapid pace there are always new trends and best practices to cover.”

In the coming months, FHRD has planned a seminar focusing on “Addressing the New Regulation for Temping Agencies and the Recruitment Process of TCNs” on May 31st. Additionally, October 18th will see FHRD host its Annual HR Conference and Expo, which this year will be themed “HR Evolve: Technology, Learning & Development.” Attending such events is essential for members to renew their Professional Membership certification. Members must participate in 16 hours of HR-related seminars and events to stay abreast of industry updates, with at least 10 hours from FHRD-organised events, to qualify for renewal. This will ensure that HR Professionals remain well-informed and engaged in their professional development.

FHRD is already set to introduce even more initiatives for HR professionals in Malta in 2024. “We're currently working on two new accredited Level 5 Awards. Additionally, we have courses lined up for addressing HR Competencies in Q3 and Q4 of 2024, and we're planning networking sessions segmented by sector, including hospitality, manufacturing, and others. These sessions will provide professionals in specific industries with a platform to delve into sector-specific topics and foster valuable connections.”

Amidst this busy schedule of events and updates, the CEO is currently focused on promoting the Professional Membership Scheme. “With people now obtaining certification, word is spreading, and we've been very pleased by the response so far. We invite all HR professionals in Malta to find comprehensive details about the programme on the FHRD website and to submit their applications to ascertain their eligibility. Through this programme we can continue to raise standards for this vital profession in today's working landscape,” Ms. Muscat Baldacchino concludes.