ALEXANDRIA, VA and Amsterdam, Oct. 7, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - HR Certification Institute (HRCI) and Netherlands-headquartered Top Employers Institute today announced a strategic global partnership that will expand the global reach of both organizations in a shared mission to raise the level of excellence of the worldwide human resource management profession. HRCI offers a portfolio of HR certifications that validate the mastery of human resource professionals, and Top Employers Institute validates the HR best practices that employers have in place for employees to advance their development.
HRCI, the premier credentialing organization for HR professionals in the U.S. and around the world, will work with Top Employers Institute to broaden and deepen HRCI's outreach to HR professionals – beyond the U.S. market – who would benefit from HRCI's certifications for global practitioners. For Top Employers Institute, the global leader in the certification of employers that demonstrate excellence in the area of human resources, the agreement paves the way for Top Employers Institute to expand its global employer certification program in the United States.
"Our partnership with Top Employers Institute speaks directly to the future of HR – and business environments where exceptional HR professionals as well as exceptional HR practices are recognized as key drivers of organizational performance," said HRCI CEO Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE. "Global employers recognize the return on investment that HRCI-certified practitioners provide. At the same time, organizations recognize the competitive advantage of certifying HR practices."
"HRCI's respect around the globe coupled with nearly 40 years of demonstrated rigor and high standards of excellence in certifying HR mastery, knowledge and real-world application for HR practitioners made them the natural choice for Top Employers Institute," said David Plink, CEO, Top Employers Institute. "We see this partnership as a perfect opportunity to leverage the vision of Top Employers Institute, where we, like HRCI, believe in placing the highest value on human capital and people within an organization, which results in better performing businesses – ultimately connecting individual HR competency with organization-wide HR excellence."
Through the partnership, HRCI will be even better positioned to meet the growing demand for certification of HR professionals around the globe. Top Employers Institute certifies employers in 102 countries around the globe, which includes 80 percent of the top 50 largest companies in Europe.
For Top Employers Institute, the partnership provides an accelerated entry to U.S. companies for Top Employers certification given HRCI is the largest certifier of HR professionals in the U.S. Fully 98 percent of Fortune 500 companies have HRCI-certified HR professionals. HRCI is the only certification body for HR professional generalists that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Top Employers Institute's research-based, validated and independently audited certification process evaluates employers on talent strategy, workforce planning, on-boarding, learning and development, leadership development, career and succession management, compensation and benefits, and organizational culture. "Top Employers Institute shares our commitment to rigor and excellence, making them a natural partner as we take HRCI to the next level," added Dufrane. As part of the agreement, Top Employers Institute will open a U.S. office within HRCI's Alexandria, Va., corporate headquarters in early 2016.
Among the U.S.-based companies that have already earned Top Employers certification are DHL, Tata Consultancy Services and Technip.
HRCI currently offers three credentials for HR professionals who practice around the globe: the Global Professional in Human Resources (GPHR®), the Human Resource Management Professional (HRMP®) and the Human Resource Business Professional (HRBP®). For HR professionals practicing in the U.S., HRCI offers the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®) as well as a California-specific credential.
About Top Employers Institute
Top Employers Institute globally certifies the HR Best Practices that employers have in place for employees to advance their development. Optimal HR Best Practices ensure that people develop themselves personally and professionally. This in turn enables companies to grow and to develop, always. Since 1991 and headquartered in the Netherlands, Top Employers Institute has recognized more than 1,000 Top Employers around the world.
About HRCI
HR Certification Institute (HRCI), headquartered in the U.S., is the premier professional credentialing organization for the human resources profession. For nearly 40 years, HRCI has set the standard for HR mastery and excellence around the globe. An independent nonprofit organization, HRCI is dedicated to advancing the HR profession through developing and administering best-in-class accredited certifications including the Professional in Human Resources (PHR®) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR®). All of HRCI's credentials are recognized as the most rigorous, meaningful, and grounded professional certifications demonstrating competency, real-world practical skills and knowledge in the field. Together with HRCI-certified professionals in 100 countries around the globe, HRCI ensures, strengthens and advances the strategic value and impact of HR.
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