Which Top Skills will HR Professionals Need in 2021?

March 5th 2021 | Posted by phil scott

As 2021 advances, HR professionals are examining what they need to do in order to support the business and its employees.

In many cases, they will be required to help businesses overcome serious financial difficulties caused by the ongoing pandemic.

This includes analysing data to determine how staffing resources can be utilised efficiently. It also includes helping employees through the current uncertain situation and embracing the digital landscape that enables the growing use of remote working.

Given these challenges, there are certain skills that top HR professionals require in 2021 and beyond. In the current climate, these skills are often more useful than qualifications. With this in mind, these are the skills that HR professionals most need this year and on an ongoing basis.

Big data and analytics

Big data is not a new topic in the HR world. However, this year is thought to be the time when its profile will be raised as HR professionals begin to rely more on data to make vital decisions. For example, the HR team will be central to enlisting employees and ensuring that they have the right training and tools to work remotely where necessary.

Professionals also require solid evidence based on data to back up requests for resources, given the pressure on budgets that exists right now. Having this data gives them a platform from which they can show the value of any investment.,

Building HR capability

In order to perform to the highest standards, top HR professionals understand the importance of building HR capability. This essential attribute is central to the performance of a business more than it has ever been.

This includes improving on the agility of HR teams by embracing technology. It also involves partnering with other areas of the business to get an accurate overall picture and better inform decisions.

Advising about business change

HR professionals are powerful advocates and enablers of change in a business. This is especially the case given that around two-thirds of change initiatives involve talent management.

At this time, when change is such a major factor for many businesses, HR managers enable the pulling together of people and resources to allow the business to achieve the results that it’s aiming for.

Delivering on training requirements

Training is likely to be at the centre of considerations for many businesses as they seek to reorganise in the wake of the impacts of the pandemic. Employees will need to have the skills and information they require to work in different roles and/or to work from a remote location.

With this in mind, HR professionals must have the skills required to ensure that training programmes can be delivered in a timely and efficient manner.

Digital transformation

Transforming to digital is vital to organisations, especially given the prevalence of remote working right now. This gives HR managers the opportunity to be central to strategic decisions in a business if they develop skills in the area.

They can show the business how adopting technology is not just a case of plug-and-play, it also necessitates a review of structure, practices, and processes. Employee engagement and training also play a pivotal role.

These skills are all essential to the role of an HR professional, in 2021 and the coming years.