Promoting human resource management

Since it was set up in the early Nineties, the Foundation for Human Resources Development (FHRD) has always remained clearly focused on two main aims: promoting the adoption of good human resource management practices in Malta, and raising the profile of the HR profession itself both on an organisational and a national level.

To this end over the years the FHRD has organised numerous national conferences and seminars and regular topical workshops for HR practitioners. It has also facilitated the professional development of more than 150 individuals, who have successfully completed their Certificate, Diploma or Masters degree courses in Human Resource Management and Training with the Centre for Labour Market Studies, University of Leicester.

Even prior to the agreement with CLMS, the foundation had facilitated the National Certificate in Training and Development together with the Employment and Training Corporation (ETC).

The FHRD has always been at the forefront of many important national debates regarding employment, people management and social policy issues, including the more recent drafting of the Employment and Industrial Relations Act and preparations for Malta's position during EU negotiations.

The future direction of the FHRD lies squarely along these same solid foundations, based on our strong belief that people make the difference: between a mediocre and an excellent organisation, between a slipshod Public Service and a professional one, between a backyard nation and a world class one.

Irrespective of the size of the organisation, the way in which people are recruited, trained and developed, motivated, appraised and rewarded, and the way in which their performance is managed, has a far-reaching and tangible effect on overall organisational success.

For this reason the FHRD will endeavour to continue to add value by being present for its members and for the Maltese business community in general. It will consolidate its position as a voice for its members hailing from both the private and public sectors and as the home of the Maltese HR practitioner.

It will continue to work in partnership with other key players in the field of HR management and development. The FHRD will continue to create and enhance an awareness of the need for ongoing and professional people management and development to enable Malta to meet present and future challenges in a changing and increasingly more competitive international environment.

John Camilleri is chief executive of the FHRD.