Challenges in Human Resource Development Practitioner Preparation

This article describes some of the challenges that confront designers of programs which prepare or upskill Human Resource Development (HRD) practitioners. It surfaces varying perspectives of human resource development and some of the issues that confront organisations in the post-industrial economy which have implications for HRD practice. It also surfaces some tensions and areas of convergence that can be seen in recent studies which have investigated the role of HRD practitioners. The final section recommends some substantive areas that should be addressed within HRD preparation programs which are designed to equip learners for practice in the current organisational context.