Businesses urged to invest in ICT to modernise HR functions

HUMAN RESOURCES professionals from across the Commonwealth ended two days of discussions and deliberations in Kingston last Wednesday with a clearer understanding of the impact that information and communications technologies (ICT) will have on the management of human capital.

Organised by the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), and supported by the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) and the Jamaica Employers’ Federation, the group examined in detail how the increasing use of ICT has been impacting human resource management.

“The discussions were professionally engaging; and we are leaving here today armed with new and exciting ideas on how to continue to strengthen the road map to human resources management and the role that ICT can play in that regard,” said Hopeton Heron, deputy director general of the OUR, as he gave closing remarks on Tuesday evening at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston.

“Any investment in ICT has the potential to modernise our HR operations, drive business efficiency, improve worker communication and knowledge, and result in economic benefits like higher productivity, lower costs, greater efficiency and, inevitably, new economic opportunities,” Heron added.

URGING MODERNISATION

With a changing workforce, the OUR deputy head urged businesses to invest in ICT to modernise their human resource management so they may attract and harness the most suitable talents to improve efficiencies and grow profitability.

“Training is essential for the workforce in any economy – developed or developing; and this is essential to support the growth agenda. ICT has helped to enhance the ability to provide specific and targeted training, as we have heard discussed at points during this forum.

HERON

Information technology makes it possible for human resources professionals to train new staff members in a more efficient manner,” Heron stressed.

The CTO’s Secretary General, Shola Taylor, said he was pleased with the outcome of the conference, pointing to the thought-provoking topics and the spirited discussions that ensued over the two days.

Among the Commonwealth countries represented at the conference were Jamaica, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Swaziland, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Botswana, Nigeria, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Cameroon, Canada and the United Kingdom.