The purpose of the best HRD accreditation project is to monitor, consult and certify capacity of human resource management and human resource development in central and local governments, colleges and universities, agencies and corporations in public sector. To attain sustainable growth through human resources development, the best HRD accreditation project team at KRIVET (Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training) formulated and developed standards and guidelines. On top of this, the best HRD team monitored local and global developments of regulatory measures in human resource management and development to ensure that policies and regulations are effective and relevant. In recognition of dynamic nature of human resource management and development, the best HRD team has issued the best HRD accreditation to organizations in public sector which went through the accreditation process built up by the KRIVET.
The 6th best HRD accreditation project launched on May 1st, 2011 and provided five briefing sessions in Seoul as well as local areas for two weeks. The best HRD team received applications with documentary evidence and reviewed applications for two weeks. If an application meets the needs of a variety of standards, the best HRD team sends two inspectors for site monitoring. The criteria for accreditation are organized under two major parts human resource management; and human resource development, and 500 points are allotted to each category. The standards for human resource management are composed of four sub-criteria: systematic structure of human resource management personnel alignment; achievements and accomplishments and reward and incentive system. The standards for human resource development are composed of three sub-criteria; planning and infrastructure management and evaluation. Minimum 700 points are required but fewer than 200 in human resource management or 300 in human resource development fail sin acquiring the best HRD accreditation. The length of accreditation period is three years. Renewal is necessary every three years. The applicant organization, which meets with all the requirements, will be given both the best HRD accreditation and the best HRD membership, in which members share best practices and training resources and build networking. The best HRD team also provides applicants with consulting services by specialist in human resource management and development regardless of acquiring accreditation if once an applicant applied.
In the year of 2011, total of 51 applicants applied for the best HRD accreditation. 17 of them were for re-accreditation. Four out of them earned over 900 points in total and 8 over 800 points. The other 18 scored slightly over 700 points. It is distinguishing feature of year 2011 that no applicant was failed in the accreditation. Through analysis of reports submitted by the inspectors, we found three common key factors of excellent organizations in human resource management and development; stated aim performance management systematic promotion and reward system and a diversity of education and training program. Besides, general capacity of human resource management and development in public sector has improved for last six years since the best HRD accreditation project began. It was also found that the gap of competence between local and metropolitan areas decreased and local governmental interests in in-house instructors, mentors and mentees, job qualification grew.
We would like to suggest the followings to improve the project in the future; first, dividing work responsibilities into research and operation. Since Human Resources Development Service of Korea (HRDSK) currently plays a role as accreditation authority in private sector as well, HRDSK may be able to take in charge of operation while KRIVET focuses on research about development of policy as well as accreditation evaluation criteria; second, securing stable budget. In spite of increase of applications including re-accreditation every year, budget allocation has decreased for last three years in a row; third, developing reasonable evaluation criteria for both small and large organization fourth, improving validity and reliability through organizing a handful of professional evaluators, who conduct a variety of site inspection with standardized scope.