In the dynamic HR landscape in 2024, staying ahead with the latest skills and trends is crucial. The HR industry is undergoing significant growth from digitization and automation to humanity-centered design. Delve into our curated list of top free HR courses tailored for the evolving HR professional.
Elevate Your HR Career in a Rapidly Growing Industry
This remarkable growth rate highlights the urgent need for HR professionals to update their skills through relevant courses and certifications continuously. Staying current enhances your capability to contribute effectively to your organization and aligns you with the rapid advancements and expanding opportunities within the HR field.
"The HR industry is on a trajectory of accelerated growth, expected to expand by 12.7% annually. This surge is propelled by advancements in HR technologies and a shift towards data-driven strategies."
Ali, CXO, Key Medium
Top 16 HR Courses for 2024
1. People Analytics Masterclass (Orgnostic)
First up on our list of HR courses is the People Analytics Masterclass by Human Resource Webinars. During the eight 60-minute masterclasses, you’ll learn how to connect HR metrics to business goals, develop and implement data-driven strategies, and set the right People Analytics foundation.
The course is administered via Zoom sessions by former and current CHROs and people ops execs from firms like American Express, Western, Facebook, Uber, etc. Training in this course will help you use data to inform strategic planning and resolve talent challenges.
You’ll also get a free certificate if you complete quizzes for over 80% of the sessions.
2. Recruitment Skills (OHSC)
To manage your employees, you’ll first need to find and recruit employees, which is what this HR course concerns. It’ll equip you with the skills, abilities, and knowledge you need to shortlist applicants, interview them, select, and offer the right candidates a role in your firm.
The courses will emphasize the interview process and how to induce new hires into the organization. Brought to you for free, this course takes 20 hours, is self-paced, and provides you with an online certificate upon completion.
3. HR Management (OHSC)
Upskill your HR management skills with this free course from the Oxford Home Study Centre, one of the world’s best HR training websites. The course is open to all individuals, from experienced executives to budding HR professionals and aspiring managers.
The course is self-paced and takes about 20 hours to complete. At the end, you’re offered a certificate. It allows you to sharpen your leadership and management skills, abilities, and knowledge and increase your efficiency for professional growth.
4. Diploma in HR Management (OHSC)
Work up the HR leadership ladder with this free Diploma in HR Management course by Oxford Home Study Centre. It’s designed to equip you with various skills and knowledge applicable to various management areas.
The course takes 450 hours, and the learners earn a diploma. It moves beyond HR individuals’ day-to-day functions and focuses on strategic development needs at top-level management.
5. Certificate in HR Management (OHSC)
Get the edge with this globally recognized course from Oxford Home Study Centre. The course is designed to equip learners with vital management skills needed in the human resource management field.
The course takes 200 hours to complete and is open to anyone worldwide. It helps professionals interested in advancing their HR career obtain the skills and knowledge needed to fulfill the role of a human resource generalist. Upon completion, you earn a certificate in HR management.
6. Human Resources Foundations (LinkedIn)
Brought to you by LinkedIn Learning and taught by Wayne Cascio, the Human Resources Foundations is among the best courses for HR generalists. This video course features some of the best HR modules, including interviewing techniques, performance management principles, and how to apply internal training.
The class is free, and you earn a certificate of completion and CPE credits after completing it. Another benefit of this free HR course is that it’s self-paced, taught by an award-winning instructor, and is only one hour long.
7. Human Resources: Managing Employee Problems (LinkedIn)
People problems are common in the corporate world, and this course looks to help you manage these problems. JoAnn Corley teaches the course, and it explains the importance of training and documentation and how HR managers can use the employee handbook when problems arise. You’ll also learn why implementing a good process is key to managing organizational problems.
The course takes about an hour to complete, and you earn a certificate of completion. And the best thing about this course is that you can access it from any platform, from phones to tablets to PC.
8. Human Resources: Using Metrics to Drive HR Strategy (LinkedIn)
If you want to manage your employees effectively, you’ll need a holistic training experience that helps you understand your people first. This is where LinkedIn’s HR course comes in. It’s designed to help you evaluate things like performance and efficiency.
The course helps you measure various HR metrics, including recruiting and hiring success, onboarding effectiveness, retention, and more. It only takes about an hour to complete, and you will earn a certificate of completion.
9. Interviewing techniques (LinkedIn)
Interviewing techniques change as the world advances. LinkedIn offers this course to ensure you’re up-to-date with the latest techniques. Taught by Barbara Bruno, it is about 1.25 hours long and has been completed by almost 165,000 learners worldwide.
Among the lessons covered in this course are:
- How to select applicants for interviews
- How to make a business proposal for searching applicants.
- How to take advantage of social media
- The workable methods for considering previous applicants.
Upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate of completion and CPE credit.
10. Preparing to Manage Human Resources (Coursera)
This is an 18-hour course designed for intermediate-level human resource professionals. The course covers talent acquisition, HR management, and employment laws. It enables the learner to develop the ability to motivate employees and use the various HRM strategies to benefit the organization.
John W. Budd administers the course and is a partnership between Coursera and the University of Minnesota. Upon completion, the learner will earn a certificate of completion and a CPE credit.
Remember that this is Course 1 of 5 in their HR Management: HR for People Managers Specialization.
11. Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding Employees (Coursera, Beginner Level)
In this course, you will learn the importance of recruitment, selection, and onboarding in hiring the right people for your organization. It discusses aligning recruitment goals with company strategy and explores various effective and legal methods for recruiting and selecting employees. The course will also cover current trends in talent acquisition, such as using social media and hiring analytics. Finally, you will examine the onboarding process and how to promote employee commitment and engagement.
Remember that this is Course 2 of 5 in their HR Management: HR for People Managers Specialization.
12. Leading People and Teams Specialization (Coursera, approx. 60 hours)
In this course, you will learn essential leadership skills, including motivating and inspiring individuals, managing talent, and leading teams without formal authority. You will gain knowledge and practical skills through lectures from Michigan faculty, as well as from experienced leaders in the field. Throughout the course, you will have opportunities to apply new leadership skills in practical assignments and a capstone project. Upon completion, top students may be eligible for additional benefits, such as office hours with faculty and a waived application fee for Michigan Ross graduate programs.
13. The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work (Coursera, 29 hours)
This course from the University of London, is designed to provide practical guidance for managing people in any workplace setting. You will learn about HR theories and how they apply in real-life work environments, and gain skills in areas such as choosing employees, motivating and evaluating your team, managing workplace conflict, and making daily decisions as a leader. By the end of the course, you will be better equipped to manage people effectively in your workplace.
14. Human-Centered Work Culture (2-Minute Micro Course)
Discover the benefits of a people-first culture and create a human-centered work environment prioritizing employees' well-being and needs. Our course for HR professionals covers the importance of meaningful work, adopting human-centered methods and technologies, and creating cultures that support personal growth and a holistic approach. Embrace a people-first culture and drive success in your organization.
15. Microlearning Framework for Professional Development (6-Minute Micro Course)
As an L&D or HR professional, you know the importance of providing ongoing professional development for your team. But let's face it: long, drawn-out training sessions can be a drag, leaving employees feeling disengaged and overwhelmed. That's where microlearning comes in! In this course, you will learn how to design and implement microlearning courses that are short, focused, and engaging and that fit within a larger training and development strategy.
You'll also learn best practices for using microlearning to reinforce existing training, deliver just-in-time learning, and more. So, why wait? Get into the microlearning revolution — access this free six-minute course now!
16. HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate (Coursera, 5 Courses)
Embark on your HR career with the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate. This program, available on Coursera, offers in-depth training in key HR functions such as recruitment, performance management, and compliance, all under the guidance of experienced instructors.
Complete the course at your own pace to gain a certification that boosts your employability in diverse HR roles. Enroll in the HRCI Human Resource Associate Professional Certificate today and start your journey to becoming an HR professional!
Investing in your HR education is investing in the future of your organization. These free courses are your gateway to thriving as an HR leader in 2024.
Ali, CXO, Key Medium
Navigating the Future of HR with Strategic Learning
In 2024, the HR field demands professionals who are not just administrators but strategic thinkers, technology integrators, and change agents. These free courses offer a valuable opportunity to enhance your skill set, align with industry trends, and propel your HR career forward. Embrace the learning journey to navigate the future of HR with confidence and competence.
These free HR courses and SHRM, HCI, HRCI, and CIPD certifications are invaluable for HR professionals to enhance their expertise, align with the latest industry trends, and confidently steer their careers toward future opportunities. By investing in your HR education through these curated courses, you are advancing your professional journey and contributing significantly to your organization's strategic growth and adaptability in the rapidly evolving HR landscape.
