“We know the value of HRCI certification programs, and we know that listening, observing, and adjusting is how we can remain relevant in very different markets while continuing to explore ways to expand in others.”Jorge (J.D) Nomdedeu
Interviewer: Mariham Magdy
Brief Biography about the Interviewee:
Jorge (J.D) Nomdedeu is Director of International Business Development and Partnerships at HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®). During the almost four years tenure, J.D. has connected with numerous HR associations, academic institutions and government agencies world-wide to expand the reach of HRCI professional certifications.
J.D. has lived in Washington, D.C. for over ten years working in international relations for several nonprofit organizations. J.D. was born in Spain and educated in the United States. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of the District of Columbia. He is also HRCI-certified with an Associate Professional in Human Resources – International™ (aPHRi™).
1.HR Revolution Middle East: Mr. Jorge, welcome to HR Revolution Middle East Magazine. It’s a great pleasure to have the opportunity to make this interview with you.
From your perspective as an International Relations Professional, how do you see the value of professional certifications in equalizing talents capabilities across borders, and thus creating an international language for professionals from different countries?
The concept of professional certifications is something that most countries and cultures understand and value when it comes to practicing certain jobs. Some professions are highly impacted by national or regional legislations driving the daily practice. It makes sense in those circumstances for national certifications to emerge and guide best practices and expectations. But in a globalized world, the only way to have the same type of impact is to rely on international certifications that harmonize practices, identify universal best practices and benchmark the minimum requirements to operate across borders with a unifying approach and technical language, no matter what the local legislation is. To that effect, HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) embraces that role as a global certification body and cultivates its certification programs keeping in mind the international reach of its standards for the HR profession.
2- HR Revolution Middle-East: Can this have an impact on the Global Economy?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
Without a doubt. While countries might have political disputes and different points of view due to their own power aspirations, people and businesses will continue to interact with citizens and organizations worldwide out of a need for products, services, and information they simply cannot access in their home countries. Globalization is here to stay, and it is in everyone´s interest to figure out what are the best ways to work with other countries and cultures in a constructive and respectful way. HRCI Certifications that have global recognition in professional fields like program management, accounting, or HR are intrinsically connected to the global economy. Multinational corporations recruit talent in markets where professional standards are at par with their corporate expectations.
3- HR Revolution Middle-East: As the HRCI Director of International Business Development & Partnerships; can you share with us what kind of partnerships does the HRCI seeks to make in order to reinforce its presence and services all over the world?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
When HRCI was created over 45 years ago in the United States, the first certifications created defined the HR profession creating a benchmark and a career path for HR practitioners. For a few years now, we have seen how some emerging economies and some countries transitioning their workforce to international standards to compete in the global economy are finding HRCI certifications as the perfect match to lay the foundations of the HR profession. As a result, HRCI is in contact with government agencies dedicated to professional development, national HR associations, higher academic institutions, and professional training institutions. In some cases, we establish strategic alliances that help countries elevate the profession by establishing certification programs following the HRCI standards, and in some cases, we create partnerships with organizations that facilitate the preparation and training for the HRCI certification exams.
4- HR Revolution Middle-East: To what extent do you believe that the International Scientific Institutions play a role in shaping the future of work?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
Now more than ever, we live in the world of data. Everyone is collecting and making decisions based on data. Data analytics is the skill that every organization wants employees to be versed in. HR is no different, and in fact, it might be one of the most important areas influencing the work of tomorrow. Concepts like productivity, ROI in professional development, or talent management and professional evaluations are tracking results and using the methodologies founded on data and analytical research. Someone must look at all those concepts, study the trends, and separate what is temporary or insignificant from what is impactful to society. The pandemic is one of the best examples. Nothing we do right now is normal. Some newly acquired habits are here to stay post-pandemic. While some of these new practices will be adopted by people and organizations in a natural way, other decisions will be made by governments through legislation. Such norms must be based on the research, analysis, and recommendations of institutions that track the everchanging evolution of human interaction and the way our societies operate.
5- HR Revolution Middle East: What impact do you believe would on-line education have on the Global Economy? Can this change the future of work as well?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
Indeed online education is probably the largest, most impactful change we are going to see in the upcoming years. In 2020, there was an exponential growth in learning out of a need to replace in-person learning at all levels. I have witnessed how cultures and countries where online education was not widely accepted, and are now fully adapting and operating using remote education. We are lucky that technology is at a level that allows virtual education in multiple ways at a fraction of the cost. We have been forced to try and perfect online interaction and information sharing through conference calls, virtual events, and learning management systems. Some of them will continue being as relevant because we have lost the skepticism of the new way of doing things, but others will be back to the way we used to know. However, online education has allowed opening the doors to people who had never been able to afford education or have a medium to learn and improve themselves. In addition, a whole generation is now used to getting their information through online interaction. They don’t need a live, in-person instructor, they can absorb the information on their own and still be able to interact with a subject matter expert to bounce ideas and evaluate the learning objectives. Still, online learning is not for everyone. At least not in the way that is currently offered, which is why I expect we will continue to see new ways of remote education. Virtual reality might be one of the most recent ones, but it will certainly not be the last.
6- HR Revolution Middle-East: As a role model for other businesses; how does the HRCI tailor the business development approach to suit different markets all over the world?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
Above all agility, respect, and understanding for the needs, cultures, and realities experienced in countries across the globe know we build exceptional products. We know the value of HRCI certification programs, and we know that listening, observing, and adjusting is how we can remain relevant in very different markets while continuing to explore ways to expand in others. The concept of globalization is one that drives every decision at HRCI. We know that improvement is a road traveled through flexibility and fine-tuning.
Our wide portfolio of educational offerings cater to the needs of individuals who want to advance their career assist with their employees’ professional development defines the future of people management. We like to say that people and organizations perform better because of HRCI. I think every country can benefit from our certifications and learning catalog.
7- HR Revolution Middle-East: Can you share with us if the HRCI might consider holding International HR conferences in the coming period, as part of its role in developing HR professionals worldwide?
Mr. Jorge Nomdedeu:
HRCI has never hosted an international conference. Our focus is dedicated to the development of certification programs and expanding our learning catalog. Most of our resources are allocated to support the development and maintenance of HR professional programs that are affordable and accessible to HR practitioners worldwide.
Historically, HRCI has been present in conferences with the opportunity to serve or expand our HRCI community. We recognize the value of networking, live interaction and training workshops that take place at traditional conferences, but we don’t want to simply add yet another conference to the already crowded conference tour. We like to offer something meaningful, that makes sense, serves a purpose and supports the needs of our HRCI certification holders.
Recently, we have partnered with organizations that have more experience hosting events as a way to provide the HRCI global community with the possibility to earn free recertification credits and maintain their HRCI credentials. Due to the pandemic, and following the model of bitesize learning that has become the preferred way of professional development, we began online events covering a specific topic that HRCI refers to as micro-summits.
The intention is to offer free access worldwide to quality learning opportunities delivered by subject matter experts that go beyond our weekly Alchemizing HR webinar series. Our community should expect more additional half-day events covering current topics of international relevance affecting the HR profession in 2021.
The global community can look forward to HRCI participating as a partner in the Hacking HR’s 2021 Global Online Conference taking place March 8 – 12, 2021 with the theme HR Innovation and Future of Work where attendees can potentially earn recertification credits through attending multiple online sessions.
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