Business Professional Programs

The Human Resources program offers training in effective practices related to employee recruiting and hiring, training and development, compensation and benefits, and employee and labor relations. The program is designed to prepare students for entry and mid-level positions in the field of Human Resources.

Individuals in the field of Human Resources typically document and record employee information and maintain confidential records. In the process of recruiting, interviewing, and hiring, communication skills are actively employed. Some human resource personnel perform administrative tasks, evaluate employment data, explain information to others, and establish and maintain relationships. Data analysis is required along with the ability to organize, plan, and prioritize work.

Human Resource representatives answer questions regarding examinations, eligibility, salaries, benefits, and other pertinent information. They arrange for advertising or posting of job vacancies and notify eligible workers of position availability.

The position also involves compiling and preparing reports and documents pertaining to personnel activities. Finding qualified people to fill open positions falls under the human resource umbrella. HR representatives provide advice and guidance to managers, and assist all employees with job related personnel issues.

Courses taken to achieve the certificate apply toward the Associate in Business/Human Resource Management area of focus, thus providing students with the opportunity to obtain a certificate, find employment in the field, and continue working toward the degree.

The Human Resource management Certificate is designed to prepare students for the following or similar positions:

• Human Resources Generalist
• Personnel Assistant
• Training Coordinator
• Payroll Clerk

Pierce College offers the Human Resource Management Certificate at the Ft. Steilacoom and Puyallup campuses.

- View the program/curriculum sheet -

Human Resource Management Outcomes

Students who receive the Certificate in Human Resource Management will be prepared to:

• Identify and describe human resource departmental duties and responsibilities.
• Differentiate between job analysis, auditing, job design, job description, job specifications, needs analysis, and job evaluation.
• Identify factors influencing human resource trends and forecasts using workplace scenarios.
• Identify and describe factors that impact individual and organizational performance and develop an action plan for improving personal performance.
• Analyze current employment discrimination laws, identify factors impeding equal employment and develop a plan for minimizing the impact of these factors within an organization.
• Develop a flow chart of a recruitment and selection process, using affirmative action guidelines.
• Develop training and development plans for new or under-producing employee.
• Analyze employee rights in the workplace using current laws and regulations and evaluate organizational compliance.
• Compare an organization’s safety and health standards against OSHA and WISHA standards.
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages to unionization
• Identify determinants in union-management relations, and describe a method of reducing labor relations problems.
• Analyze an actual performance appraisal system and make recommendations for improvement.
• Compare various means of compensation, including incentives and benefits and evaluate how compensation is used to attract and retain employees.
• Demonstrate personal responsibility and accountability by attending class, actively participating, and meeting time commitments.