Describe the human resource development (HRD) process and critically examine how HRD programmes can help organisations and its employees to remain competitive in their business.

Describe the human resource development (HRD) process and critically examine how HRD programmes can help organisations and its employees to remain competitive in their business.

Introduction
In this rapidly changing and increasingly complicated work environment, managing people has become more complex than before. To be successful in the current environment, organisations need to maximize the productivity of all their resources. These include the financial resources, information resources and most importantly, the human resources. With effective human resource development, it can bring organisation to a greater height which will progress and succeed.

Factors leading to the changes in HRM policy.
The need for change is no longer an option for an organisation. They are many factors that lead to the need for change. Changes have to be made in order to respond with the changing economic, social and work environment. According to (Kraut & Korman, 1999, p. 4) the 5 major factors influencing and causing the change in human resource management are namely the:

Demographics force
The demographics of Singapore indicate that we are facing an issue of aging population. By 2030, 19% of Singapore’s population is over the age of 65 (Chan 2002). The retirement age was increased and thus, organisation needs to reassign and re-evaluate the tasks and duties of older workers to align with the decline in their abilities.

Economics force
The increased in global competitiveness leads to the increase in the cost of labour. Organisation today needs to find cheaper alternatives in labour to maximize profits. The recruitment of foreign talent and relocation of factory to countries with cheap labour cost like China are methods adopted by organisations. Another alternative will be outsourcing.

Technology
The rapid advancement of technology leads to the creation of new jobs as well as the need for training and development. With the introduction of the latest gadget, employees are required to undergo training in order to acquire the necessary knowledge and skill to operate the equipment.

Legal and regulatory issues
Organisation needs to...