Human Resource Development

Human resource development is a set of activities that provide employees with opportunities to learn necessary skills. Focused most broadly, HRD seeks to develop people’s knowledge, expertise, productivity, and satisfaction, for personal or team gain, or for the benefit of an organization, community, nation, or, ultimately, the whole of humanity.

HRD activities should begin when an employee joins an organization and continue throughout his or her career, regardless of whether that employee is an executive or a worker on an assembly line. HRD programs must respond to job changes and integrate the long-term plans and strategies of the organization to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources. Activities such as coaching, team building, and organization development also are aspects of human resource development.