Advanced Human Resource Management Training

Human Resource Management Fundamentals Training

Building a Complete HR Foundation for Generalists, New Practitioners, and First-Time People Managers

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Platform:
Online
In-class
Date Venue Duration
16 - 20 November 2026 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days
25 - 29 January 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days
15 - 19 March 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days
03 - 07 May 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days
21 - 25 June 2027 Sandton, Gauteng 5 Days

Course Introduction

This is the foundational HR course for anyone starting out in the profession or moving into an HR generalist role for the first time. Rather than going deep into one specialism, it builds a working grounding across every core HR function — the base that all of Prospen’s more advanced HR courses, from Strategic HR to Talent Management and Compensation & Benefits, build on. 

 

It’s the natural first course for anyone new to HR, and a strong refresher for experienced generalists who’ve never had formal grounding. Through facilitator-led sessions combining foundational theory with practical templates and case studies, you’ll leave with job descriptions, onboarding checklists, and basic policy documents you can take back and use immediately.

Course Duration Options

This course is available in two formats, so you can choose the depth that fits your time and needs:

2-Day Essentials Core Foundations

HR foundations, recruitment, and onboarding essentials, followed by labour law, employee relations, administration, and development essentials, including current legislative developments throughout.

Ideal for: professionals who need a practical, current HR grounding without an extended time commitment.

Course Objectives

This course equips you with a working foundation across every core HR function, so you can operate confidently in a generalist role and build toward further specialisation. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to: 

  • Explain the core purpose and functions of HR within an organisation 
  • Apply the fundamentals of recruitment, onboarding, and employee lifecycle management 
  • Understand basic South African labour law obligations and how they shape HR practice, including current legislative developments 
  • Support performance management, training, and employee relations processes 
  • Maintain accurate HR records and understand core HR administration and compliance requirements 
  • Identify when and how to escalate complex HR issues appropriately 
  • Use basic HR metrics to inform everyday people decisions 
  • Build a personal HR development plan to guide further study and specialisation 

Who should attend?

  • New HR Officers, Administrators, and Assistants 
  • Line Managers and Supervisors Taking on HR Responsibilities for the First Time 
  • Business Owners Without a Dedicated HR Function Who Manage People Directly 
  • Professionals Transitioning into HR from Another Discipline (Finance, Admin, Operations) 
  • Anyone Preparing for Further HR Study or Certification 
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Training Methodology

Our diverse instructional approaches ensure effective learning:

– Lectures & Presentations: Engage with expert-driven, stimulating content.
– Course Material: Access well-crafted supporting resources.
– Group Work: Collaborate on discussions and case studies for practical insights.
– Workshops & Role-Play: Participate in immersive, scenario-based activities.
– Practical Application: Focus on applying theoretical knowledge in real situations.
– Post-Training Support: Receive extensive support after training for skill implementation.

Training Outline

2-Day Essentials — Training Outline

DAY 1 — HR Foundations, Recruitment, and Onboarding
Introduction to HR Management and Its Role in the Business
  • The purpose and evolution of the HR function
  • HR's relationship to the broader business and its strategic objectives
  • Practical Exercise: Map how HR supports each department in a sample organisation.
Core HR Functions — The Generalist Toolkit Essentials
  • An overview of the core HR functional areas and how they interconnect
  • Structuring your own role within the broader HR function
  • Practical Exercise: Build a personal map of which HR functions you'll touch most in your role.
Recruitment, Onboarding, and the Employee Lifecycle Essentials
  • Attracting and screening candidates for open roles
  • Designing an onboarding process that sets new hires up to succeed
  • Practical Exercise: Build a basic onboarding checklist for a new employee's first 30 days.

DAY 2 — Labour Law, Employee Relations, Administration, and Development
Labour Law and HR Compliance Fundamentals Essentials
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) essentials, including the current earnings threshold of R269,600.90 per annum, effective 1 May 2026
  • Labour Relations Act (LRA) fundamentals, including awareness of the Labour Law Amendment Bill (Government Gazette No. 54220, 26 February 2026)
  • Employment Equity Act basics, including the Employment Equity Amendment Act's mandatory sectoral numerical targets
  • Practical Exercise: Review a sample HR scenario and identify the relevant legislative requirements.
Supporting Performance, Training, and Employee Relations Essentials
  • Supporting managers through basic performance conversations
  • Handling routine employee relations issues before they escalate
  • Practical Exercise: Draft talking points for a routine performance conversation.
HR Administration and Career Development Essentials
  • Structuring compliant employment contracts and personnel files
  • Building a personal HR development plan to guide further study and specialisation
  • Practical Exercise: Build a personal HR development plan with concrete next steps.

5-Day Comprehensive — Training Outline

Module 1: Introduction to HR Management and Its Role in the Business
  • The purpose and evolution of the HR function
  • HR's relationship to the broader business and its strategic objectives
  • How HR adds measurable value beyond administration
  • Common misconceptions about what HR does and doesn't own
  • Practical Exercise: Map how HR supports each department in a sample organisation.

Module 2: Core HR Functions — The Generalist Toolkit
  • An overview of the core HR functional areas and how they interconnect
  • Where HR generalist responsibilities typically start and end
  • How specialist HR functions (reward, talent, ER) build on generalist foundations
  • Structuring your own role within the broader HR function
  • Practical Exercise: Build a personal map of which HR functions you'll touch most in your role.

Module 3: Recruitment, Onboarding, and the Employee Lifecycle
  • Attracting and screening candidates for open roles
  • Structuring a fair, consistent hiring process
  • Designing an onboarding process that sets new hires up to succeed
  • Managing the employee lifecycle from hire to exit
  • Practical Exercise: Build a basic onboarding checklist for a new employee's first 30 days.

Module 4: Labour Law and HR Compliance Fundamentals
  • Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) essentials every HR practitioner needs, including the current earnings threshold of R269,600.90 per annum (R22,466.74 per month), effective 1 May 2026
  • Labour Relations Act (LRA) fundamentals for everyday HR practice, including awareness of the Labour Law Amendment Bill (Government Gazette No. 54220, 26 February 2026) — the most comprehensive review of South Africa's employment legislation in more than a decade
  • Employment Equity Act basics and their practical implications, including the Employment Equity Amendment Act's mandatory five-year sectoral numerical targets under Section 15A, covering 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2030
  • Knowing when a compliance issue needs specialist or legal input
  • Practical Exercise: Review a sample HR scenario and identify the relevant legislative requirements.

Module 5: Supporting Performance, Training, and Employee Relations
  • Supporting managers through basic performance conversations
  • Identifying training and development needs within a team
  • Handling routine employee relations issues before they escalate
  • Knowing when to involve a specialist ER or IR practitioner
  • Practical Exercise: Draft talking points for a routine performance conversation.

Module 6: HR Administration, Record-Keeping, and Compliance Documentation
  • Structuring compliant employment contracts and personnel files
  • Record-keeping requirements and common documentation gaps
  • Introduction to core HR metrics and what they tell you
  • Building simple, auditable HR administration habits
  • Practical Exercise: Audit a sample personnel file against a documentation compliance checklist.

Module 7: Building Your HR Career — Development Planning and Next Steps
  • Identifying your HR specialisation interests and strengths
  • Mapping a path from generalist foundations to further certification
  • Using HR metrics and evidence to build your professional case
  • Setting practical next steps for your first 90 days back at work
  • Practical Exercise: Build a personal HR development plan with concrete next steps.

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Success Stories

Discover how our courses enhance professionals’ effectiveness in their workplaces.

ELIDZ

Thrive as an Intern: Managing Anxiety, Building Resilience & Handling Rejection

The training was very insightful, contents shared are relatable, and the facilitator is amazing in such a way that he is able to reference practical examples to make concepts understandable and relatable to all. Listening and interacting with him is easy because he opens the platform for everyone, even when he is speaking, you are able to listen attentively with understanding because he is well informed, passionate, and well prepared. He knows his story. Lastly, the session is very interactive and interesting, you constantly looking forward to hear more and say more as well.

East London IDZ

Managing Anxiety, Building Resilience & Handling Rejection

The training was very insightful, and I learnt a lot about Resilience & Handling Rejection. I am glad I was part of the training

Central Bank of Lesotho

Unlock HR's Strategic Power with Modern HRIS

The programme was fascinating and informative.

FAQs – Human Resource Management Fundamentals Training

Master core human resource management functions, recruitment best practices, performance evaluation systems, and employment law basics to build a solid foundation for managing organizational talent.

What topics are covered in the Human Resource Management Fundamentals course?
The course covers the core functions of HRM, recruitment and selection strategies, performance management systems, employee relations and labour legislation compliance, learning and development, compensation and benefits basics, and workplace policy implementation.
Who should attend this HR management fundamentals training?
This course is designed for newly appointed HR officers, line managers, supervisors, team leaders with people management responsibilities, administrative personnel transitioning into HR roles, and business owners seeking a structured operational HR framework.
What are the key learning objectives of this training program?
Delegates learn to apply essential HR practices confidently, ensure alignment with fundamental labour regulations, execute effective recruitment processes, conduct constructive performance appraisals, handle basic workplace grievances, and maintain compliant HR documentation.
How long is the Human Resource Management Fundamentals course?
The course is delivered as a 3-day practical foundation workshop featuring practical scenario walkthroughs, group discussions, template drafting sessions, and real-world HR case exercises.
What practical skills will participants gain from this course?
Participants will gain hands-on skills in drafting clear job descriptions, conducting structured competency-based interviews, facilitating performance review meetings, applying basic disciplinary procedures correctly, and managing core employee lifecycle administration.
Can Prospen Africa deliver this course as customized in-house training?
Yes. Prospen Africa provides tailored on-site and in-house group training, aligning course templates, compliance aspects, and practical scenarios with your company's internal HR policies and industry context.

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