Human resource development
Yvonne Harvey, Contributor

The focus this week is on how to improve the human resources so that they will perform with greater efficiency in the production process. Human resources refers to all physical and mental abilities in production; that is, all labour and entrepreneurial skills. Human resource development is the process of making the quality of labour and the entrepreneur better. This process has been described as investment in human capital. The result of such investment is usually increased productivity and lower costs of production. The factors that improve labour productivity are the same ones that improve the human resources. The human resources can be developed in the following ways:

1. Improvements in the levels of education

This will make training of the human resources easier. Also, with improved education, employees can qualify for higher posts - promotions. With these facts in mind, some employers allow workers time off to go and educate themselves or to upgrade their education. During this time, they attend classes and sit exams. Some employers also pay all or a part of the cost of classes and exam fees. Even in schools, the curricula have been changed to help students leaving school to be more productive so that they enter the job market with skills in many areas.

2. More training and retraining

Workers who are properly trained will work faster and this will benefit the organisation and the country as a whole. Among many countries, this aspect of human resource development is sadly lacking. Many employers are themselves untrained and are therefore lax when it comes to the training of workers. They often see it as a waste of time and money.

Retraining is training for a new or different job in one's workplace. People who have been promoted or given a different job to do often need to be retrained. One can also retrain in anticipation of a promotion or a new job. Retraining is also very important for persons who have been in their particular jobs for many years. In order to keep vibrant and learn up-to-date ways of doing things, and in order to improve efficiency, these persons need refresher courses.

Many CARICOM governments provide opportunities for training workers through various agencies and institutions of learning, for example The HEART Trust/NTA and the Vocational Training Development Institute in Jamaica. Farmers are also given advice and training by agricultural extension officers in plant and animal husbandry.

In Jamaica, many community centres are used as training facilities to help individuals to learn skills so that they can, in turn, help themselves. In Trinidad, The Management Development Centre is performing a very effective role in training people to become good and efficient managers.

3. Greater emphasis on the health of the worker

A healthy worker produces more than one who is not. Health provisions for workers might be inadequate and this will adversely affect their performance. Workers who are not healthy cannot be efficient. To this end, employers often contribute towards health schemes for their workers, allow them sick leave or even have their own doctors and nurses at the workplace. Many places of work have sick-bay facilities for their workers or they have access to first aid in the event of minor illnesses.

4. Improved working conditions

If working conditions are poor, the human resources will be adversely affected. Working conditions include ventilation, light, workspace, safe surroundings and so on. If conditions are ideal, for example, more space or more efficient air conditioning, output will increase. Also, if human resources are to develop, there must be adequate bathroom, restroom, canteen and recreation facilities. With good ventilation, adequate lighting, enough space to work in and safe surroundings, the worker will develop and work more efficiently.

5. Motivation

External motivation in particular can encourage the human resources to improve. For example, if they are given incentives, such as bonuses, they will work harder. Such motivation can also change negative attitudes towards work into positive ones. Positive attitudes might improve punctuality and eliminate low absenteeism.

6. Adequate amount of and quality capital

Workers with poor-quality machinery and equipment will not work well. In addition, they must have the right amount of capital to work with. Attention to these areas will improve the productivity of the human resources.

7. Good management

The manager who is able to organise people and materials efficiently and display appropriate leadership will find that production and productivity will rise. For developing countries to experience growth and development, it is essential that the human resources be developed sufficiently.

Your task this week will be to write an outline for the following question:

(a) (i) Define the terms resources and human resources. (4 marks)

(ii) Give FOUR examples of human resources. (4 marks)

(iii) What do you understand by human resource development? (2 marks)

(b) Discuss FOUR ways in which human resources are developed in your country.

(8 marks)

(c) What is the link between improving the human resource and improving the productivity of labour and the entrepreneur? (2 marks)

Total Marks: 20

William Clarke is honoured in September by the Jamaica Bankers Association. Clarke demitted office as president of Scotiabank Jamaica leaving a legacy of record profit annually for more than a decade. He is pictured here with Professor Michael Luger, dean of the Manchester Business School, University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. - File

Yvonne Harvey teaches at Glenmuir High School.