Human Capital Strategist (HCS)

Q: What will I learn in the HCS Certification Program?
A: You will learn the theory and principles of the new business science of strategic talent management, including the fundamentals of workforce planning, recruitment, hiring, on-boarding, engagement, alignment, deployment, development, performance management, succession planning, retention, and metrics.  As importantly, you will see how these activities integrate across your enterprise to form a talent lifecycle that creates true competitive advantage.
 
Q: What will I learn in the MHCS Designation program?
A: The MHCS will teach you to apply the principles and practices you've learned, to craft an effective strategic talent plan, and through a business case practicum, identify, solve and measure ROI for a real-world talent problem existing in your present organization.
 
Q: Is there a benefit to purchasing the package?
A. Yes, there is a significant discount when you bundle the entire program up front.
 
Q: Why is the HCS/MHCS Program important to my career?
A: Talent management is a critical new skill set for every leader, at every level of the organization. The most powerful and sustainable competitive lever today is high performing talent, and the C-suite is looking for leaders who understand that a talent mindset and effective talent practices are the most important fundamentals for successful growth. The HCS designation proves your expertise and helps you become immediately more valuable to your organization.
 
Q: Is the HCS an HR Certification?
A: The HCS is the only measure of strategic human resources knowledge, and so it is a critical career achievement for HR professionals and leaders. But talent management represents the intersection of business and HR strategy, and so it is not ONLY for human resources professionals. Business leaders from OD, corporate learning, general management and the line all need to understand the principles and practices of talent management, and to apply them to create innovation and competitive advantage.
 
Q: How is the HCS designation different from SHRM certification?
A: While SHRM certifications are valuable, they focus on traditional HR skills, not talent management principles. Strategic Talent Management is not an extension of traditional HR; it is a unique and powerful new business science. SHRM certification programs and other HR training are often centered on the administrative and operational aspects of human resources, while the HCS designation is a measure of strategic knowledge and expertise.
 
Q: How long will it take to achieve HCS Certification?
A: The HCS Certification can be earned with a moderate level of pre-work, a two-day workshop, successful completion of a rigorous exam and a brief implementation project. Workshops are held online and in major metropolitan centers throughout the year.
 
Q: What about the Master HCS Designation?
A: The HCS Certification is a pre-requisite for MHCS Designation. Once that is completed, candidates attend a one-day pre-practicum workshop, then begin work on a business case related to an actual talent issue within their organization. Assisted by their faculty mentor, most candidates complete their practicums within six months.
 
Q: Who teaches the classes?
A: HCI classes are taught by business school caliber faculty and seasoned talent management professionals. All are experts in the strategic concepts and practical applications of talent management, and meet HCI's highest professional standards.
 
Q: What is a Practicum, and why is it important?
A: The Practicum is a real-world implementation of knowledge gained in the classroom. It may be a white paper, case study, or slide presentation that details a talent challenge, solution, and implementation. The Practicum is as important to your organization as it is to your own development.
 
Q: What support is available?
A: HCI instructors are with you at every step in your journey toward achieving your HCS designation. They are invaluable advisors and mentors for your Practicum, as well as for real-world challenges. HCI is also a global community of progressive, talent-focused leaders: Your HCI membership includes access to more than 300 expert advisors through our Learning Tracks, plus a network of more than 190,000 fellow members worldwide.