The field of human resources encompasses some of the most important functions in today’s businesses: attracting and retaining talent, fostering employee development, and resolving internal conflicts.

Increasingly, it also includes collaborating with senior managers to set corporate policy and ensure workforces are set up to align with business goals.

And as companies look to navigate the operational and labour market changes wrought by the pandemic, the need for skilled HR professionals is growing.

So which specific roles are on the rise? What HR careers are seeing the most rapid growth across Canada?

Keep reading to explore 5 of the top options.

Photo: Andy Livingston, CEO of Dexterity Consulting and arbitration instructor at Kompass

Over the last few years there's been a considerable uptick in demand for alternative dispute resolution services like arbitration and mediation.

The pandemic has only accelerated this trend as people look to settle their conflicts outside of court.

And lawyers aren't the only ones pursuing careers in ADR.

People from diverse professional backgrounds are taking mediation and arbitration training to better handle workplace disputes - or set up private ADR practices.

This week we spoke with Andy Livingston, a social sciences graduate turned certified ADR professional, who runs a private practice and teaches arbitration training at Kompass.

Andy walks us through the online arbitration certificate and explains different pathways to becoming an arbitrator in Canada.

Think you might be interested in this course? Read on for an inside look.

Arbitration is one of the most popular forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Similar to a judge, an arbitrator is a neutral third party who hears witnesses and reviews evidence before delivering a judgment that is usually legally binding.

However, arbitration is less formal than courtroom litigation and typically less costly and time-consuming.

And unlike the court system, parties involved in arbitration are allowed to choose their own arbitrator, and can design the process to suit their own needs.

That means they can choose the timing and place of the arbitration, as well as who will be present.

Another key benefit of arbitration is privacy. Proceedings are confidential, which is generally considered a major advantage over litigation.

But how does one start a career in arbitration?  What kind of training pathways and certifications are available in Canada?

Here is a simple breakdown of arbitration careers, training options, and professional designations.

Photo: Julianne Gallimore, Instructor for the Diversity and Inclusion certificate at Kompass Professional Development

Over the last few years, we've seen a tremendous increase in corporate training programs in diversity and inclusion.

Leaders are finally recognizing the critical importance of fostering a genuinely inclusive workplace culture.

The problem is, management often lacks the skillset and knowledge needed to recruit, nurture, and retain a diverse workforce.

Julianne Gallimore has built a career around helping companies navigate this challenging process.

She has a proven track record in human resources, with a specialization in diversity and inclusion training, coaching, and consulting.

And now, Julianne has signed on to teach the new Diversity and Inclusion certificate at Kompass Professional Development.

We interviewed her this week to learn more about her background and what skills she'll be teaching in class. Read on for the highlights.

It likely won’t surprise you to hear that Canada needs more health and safety managers.

It has always been important to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace, of course. But the need to keep people safe on the job has garnered new attention since COVID-19 upended our lives.

Health and safety managers are responsible for developing and implementing policies to minimize risks and foster a culture of safety and wellness throughout an organization.

And more and more companies are realizing the value that these professionals bring to the table.

In this post, we explore the factors behind the rising demand for health and safety managers as well as the skills and qualifications that are on employers’ most-wanted lists.

Considering a career in this growing field? Here’s what you need to know.

A family mediator is a neutral third party who helps families resolve disputes outside of court.

Mediators facilitate discussions between opposing parties and ensure that everyone is able to air their concerns and perspectives.

The goal is to help all parties come to a mutually acceptable solution.

But what does that actually involve? What are the specific functions of a family mediator?

Keep reading to get an inside look at the tasks and responsibilities of this career.

Learn what the role of a family mediator is all about and see if it’s right for you.

Interested in helping people resolve disputes outside of court? Curious about what the job market is like for mediators in Canada?

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has become increasingly popular across the country over the past few years, and mediation is an important part of that process.

Provinces like Ontario and Alberta have even made mediation mandatory in certain situations.

Even still, it’s not easy to find hard data on the demand for mediators in Canada.

We dug into the growing movement toward ADR and what it means for people looking to become mediators in this country.

Here’s what you need to know.

Health and safety managers have a critical leadership role in many organizations: creating and monitoring policies and programs to keep people safe on the job.

Ultimately, they’re responsible for identifying risks, preventing accidents, and promoting safety and wellness throughout the organization.

If you have a background in health and safety and are hoping to move your career forward, the next logical step is to become a health and safety manager.

So what do you need to move into this role?

We analyzed dozens of job postings to see what qualifications and skills employers look for when hiring health and safety (H&S) managers.

Here are the typical requirements you'll need to fulfill.

Family mediators help families settle conflicts and disagreements without going to court.

Mediators do not take sides or make decisions. Instead, they help each party understand the other's concerns, explore options, and agree on solutions.

Family mediators are often called in when a couple decides to end their relationship. They help the ex-partners work out arrangements regarding children, property, and finances.

But while divorce is a common family mediator practice area, it's not the only one. In fact, a variety of specializations exist within the field.

In this post, we explore 4 major practice areas in family mediation - and some helpful information on getting started in this career.

Your success as a mediator will depend on your ability to cultivate a sense of collaboration and trust between people in conflict. That's no easy feat.

After all, people usually enter into mediation because communication has broken down. Resentment, stress, and suspicion have made it difficult to see matters clearly—let alone negotiate a fair outcome!

Professional mediators need a toolkit of techniques they can use to break down those walls, create an atmosphere of trust, and get opposing sides talking in productive ways.

These are fundamental skills taught in mediation training - and competencies you'll continue to hone throughout your entire career.

Here are 4 ways to build rapport and break through mistrust during the mediation process.