In March 2008, the Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations (CCHRA) created a task force to assess the need for a senior designation. The CCHRA Board of Directors reviewed the outcome of this assessment and has accepted the right of interested provinces to introduce the Senior Designation (SHRP).

The SHRP is granted to experienced senior HR executives that have made a significant impact on their organizations. Criteria and process will be available through participating provincial associations. Ontario will be the first to implement a process to grant the designation starting in June, followed by Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia/PEI, and possibly Newfoundland.

BC HRMA will not be implementing the senior designation at this time. The association participated in the task force and the BC HRMA Board of Directors reviewed the recommendations. On this review, the Board chose not to participate based on two significant reasons.

First, the SHRP designation is not linked to the body of knowledge. It is not necessary to hold a CHRP designation to obtain a SHRP.  Second, to create and implement an additional designation would require changes to BC HRMA’s organizational infrastructure. At this time, the Board has chosen to put resources towards increasing the recognized value of the CHRP designation.

Over the past five years, BC HRMA has not received any requests, expressions of interest or questions about an additional senior designation from HR leaders within the association’s membership.  However, BC HRMA does take seriously the need for a senior designation and will continue working with CCHRA to create a designation that builds on the value of the CHRP, which remains the gold standard for HR competence.

If you have any questions about SHRP, please refer to CCHRA’s website.