HRD as a professional career? Perspectives from Finland, The Netherlands, and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Human resource development (HRD) is increasingly being recognised as an integral profession and a fundamental investment for organisations. The position of HRD professionals remains undefined despite widespread acceptance of the need for HRD processes. This chapter positions HRD professionals as a component of the wider vocational education and training (VET) system. It investigates HRD as a field of practice and the pathways that lead to employment and professional development in this area. HRD is examined as an occupation activity, as a flexible field of professional practice, and as a locally constructed field of professional expertise. The author draws on the experiences of HR developers from Finland, The Netherlands and the UK, to provide insight into the processes specific to employment in HRD. Further refinement of HRD as a field of practice is necessary to strengthen the profession in the face of future challenges.