SHRM Foundation Expands Educational Opportunities for Participants in SHRM HR Registered Apprenticeship Program

(Alexandria, Va.) – Today, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of SHRM, announced Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) as a preferred education provider for the Foundation's HR Registered Apprenticeship Program (HR RAP). 

SHRM Foundation developed HR RAP, the first national HR Apprentice program, to help close the skills gap in HR by allowing individuals to earn wages while receiving hands-on training to successfully fill high-skilled, in-demand HR specialist positions. It provides a way for an employer to invest in an employee who will be trained to the employer's specifications and who will deliver a positive return on investment through higher productivity. By combining educational programming aligned to the existing SHRM competency model and the SHRM-CP, the nationally recognized credential for HR professionals, with work-based learning, HR RAP prepares a new generation of HR practitioners for the challenges in today's ever-evolving workplace. 

"I am very excited to launch this great partnership with SNHU and bring their educational resources to apprentices working under the HR RAP," said Wendi Safstrom, Executive Director, SHRM Foundation. "By bringing more options for educational programs to the HR industry, we are providing more opportunities for the participating employers and apprentices."

SNHU is a SHRM academically aligned institution and offers educational programs that prepare students to become SHRM certified. Through this partnership, participants in the HR RAP will have expanded educational opportunities through SNHU at a reduced cost to meet the requirements of their apprenticeship. 

"Now, more than ever, HR professionals are trusted leaders in their organizations," said Jeremy Owens, AVP of University Partnerships, SNHU. "By starting the journey to gain SHRM certification at SNHU, students will expand and test their knowledge and practical, real-life competencies in areas critical for HR career success."

Launched in February 2021, the HR RAP is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship grant (Closing the Skills Gap). The SHRM Foundation works with employers across the country to offer apprenticeships to emerging HR professionals. The program is designed to accelerate diversity initiatives in that it expands opportunities for reskilling displaced workers, upskilling incumbent workers and developing new entrants to the workforce, particularly those from untapped talent pools such as people with criminal convictions, older workers, individuals with disabilities, and veterans with or without four-year degrees. The program will prepare apprentices to earn the nationally recognized SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credential and become Human Resource Specialists upon completion. 

As an apprentice, participants are full-time employees at a participating organization. The on-the-job learning portion is expected to last between 18 to 24 months. In addition, apprentices are required to complete 144 hours of technical instruction that aligns with the program's outlined competencies. Through the SHRM Foundation partnership with SNHU, participants may take classes through SNHU to meet these requirements. 

To learn more about this program, please visit the HR RAP website at hrapprentice.org.

About SHRM
SHRM, the Society for Human Resource Management, creates better workplaces where employers and employees thrive together. As the voice of all things work, workers and the workplace, SHRM is the foremost expert, convener and thought leader on issues impacting today's evolving workplaces. With 300,000+ HR and business executive members in 165 countries, SHRM impacts the lives of more than 115 million workers and families globally. Learn more at SHRM.org and on Twitter @SHRM.

About SHRM Foundation
Founded in 1966 the SHRM Foundation is the 501c (3) philanthropic arm of the world's largest HR professional society, SHRM. The SHRM Foundation mobilizes the power of HR for positive social change in the workplace. Its robust programming and resources, meaningful partnerships, and evidenced-based research are educating and empowering HR professionals to hire diverse talent, build inclusive workplaces, prioritize workplace mental health and wellness, develop skills, equip young people to pursue a career in HR and help employees find purpose at work and beyond. Learn more at shrmfoundation.org.

About SNHU
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit institution with an 89-year history of educating traditional-aged students and working adults. Now serving more than 150,000 learners worldwide, SNHU offers approximately 200 accredited undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, available online and on its 300-acre campus in Manchester, NH. Recognized as the "Most Innovative" regional university by U.S. News & World Report and one of the fastest-growing universities in the country, SNHU is committed to expanding access to high quality, affordable pathways that meet the needs of each learner. Learn more at www.snhu.edu.