CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice

Expand all

The Programme

The primary purpose of the CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice qualification is to develop participants’ knowledge and skills and to build their expertise, confidence and credibility to deliver value in their organisations and to the people served by Human Resources (HR) and Learning and Development (L&D) professionals. This qualification will give participants a solid foundation for careers in the people profession, incorporating both Human Resources and Learning & Development.

This qualification, which is comparable to Level 5 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), introduces the participants to a wide range of relevant knowledge and expertise in people practice. It is suited to those participants who:

• Are studying, aspiring to, or embarking on, a career in people practice;
• Are working in a people practice support role and wish to develop their knowledge and deliver immediate and short-term value for their organisation;
• Wish to develop the specialist knowledge, skills and understanding required to be a people professional;
• Line Managers with people management responsibilities.

CIPD qualifications set the international standard for people professionals. On successful completion of the Foundation Certificate in People Practice, candidates will be eligible for Foundation Membership of the CIPD and can use the designation Foundation CIPD. This starts to build their credibility in the people profession, shows that they are serious about their development and that they have a strong base of knowledge to build on.

See the September 2025  Programme Brochure here.

Who is this for?

This CIPD entry-level qualification is perfect for people professionals working in, or looking to find, their first role in the people profession; experienced human resources and learning and development practitioners and line managers with people management responsibilities, and will provide them with:

• A solid grounding in People Practice;
• The knowledge, skills and behaviours to deliver tasks that benefit their organisation at an operational level.
• The confidence to support positive change for their colleagues and organisations.

Course Content

There are four units on the CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice programme covering:

1. Business, Culture and Change in Context;
2. Principles of Analytics;
3. Core Behaviours for People Professionals;
4. Essentials of People Practice.

Over the course of the four units participants will study a range of areas as set out below.

Business, Culture and Change in Context

• The Business Environment.
• Organisation Culture and Workplace Behaviour.
• Supporting Organisation Change.

Principles of Analytics

• Understanding the Needs of Customers & Stakeholders of the People Profession.
• Evidence-based Practice & Decision Making.
• Adding Value through insights based on the Analysis of Data.

Core Behaviours for People Professionals

• The CIPD Profession Map – the Standards for the People Profession.
• Ethics and Professional Practice.
• The Values of the People Management Profession.
• Continuing Personal/Professional Development.

Essentials of People Practice

• The Employee Lifecycle.
• Contributing to Effective Selection and Appointment.
• Employee Relations & Engagement.
• Employment Law & Best Practice in relation to Organisation of Working Time/Work Life Balance, Employment Equality & Diversity and Dismissal.
• Performance Management.
• Reward Management.
• Learning and Development.

Assessment

There is no written examination for this programme. Assessment is by means of unit assignments the majority of which are written. There will be one practical assessment on the conduct of a selection interview where a recording of the interview will be submitted.

On successful completion of the Foundation Certificate in People Practice, candidates will be eligible for Foundation Membership of the CIPD and can use the designation Foundation CIPD.

Other Information

The Institute of Public Administration is a CIPD Approved Centre, offering CIPD qualifications. The CIPD is the professional body for the people profession. The CIPD has been championing better work and working lives for over 100 years.

The CIPD offers clear learning and career pathways. It recognises its members’ knowledge and skills through our qualifications. The CIPD sets the international standard for the profession – the values, knowledge and behaviours that equip us in our work. The CIPD awards globally recognised qualifications, inspiring confidence in its members’ expertise and professionalism.

Course Leader

The CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice Programme Director is  Eoin Smyth, HRM Training Specialist with co-lead Edwin Maguire, Senior HRM Training and Consultancy Associate Specialist.  

Downloads