CPHR Canada's Updated Competency Framework: What Changed and How it Affects Members
27
Jul 2023
526
Author:
Erica Blain, Director, Professional Standards, Registrar, CPHR Alberta
In late 2021, CPHR Canada announced the introduction of an updated Competency Framework for the HR profession. Many members have reached out with questions on what was updated, why and how it affects them on the path to the designation or in mainiting their designation. The CPHR Alberta Professional Standards team, has put together this blog to answer some of the most frequently asked questions!
How was it updated and why?
In many ways, the competency framework has remained much the same but with some key changes to ensure that the CPHR designation remains relevant and topical in today’s changing world. Human Resources is a field that has grown, expanded and diversified over many years since it’s inception as a profession. CPHR Canada worked closely with HR professionals across Canada to amend the framework so that it is in-line with the working world today and in the near future.
The updated Competency Framework recognizes that there is no longer an ideal role, position or way of functioning for the HR Professional, instead, providing a strategic approach that matches the pace of change. Human Resources has such a broad scope and it is becoming more valued in organizations every day. By updating the Competency Framework, we are keeping up with the growth and progression of the profession as a whole and trying to incorporate all professionals within the field.
What has changed?
While the changes to the Competency Framework were not sweeping, you will see some smaller amendments. One update is the introduction of the competency entitled Innovation. Especially through the pandemic, HR professionals were forced to be agile and innovative to continue to do their roles but in a changing environment and continuous legislation or safety protocol updates. The demand on HR to innovate and be adaptable has become more vital than ever and is an important area of focus.
Additionally, you’ll see what used to be just “engagement” is now Inclusion, Diversity and Human Connection. Again, in the past few years we have seen an increased call for employers to ensure an inclusive environment is provided to all employees. Also, diversity is an active goal for many organizations and is better recognized, appreciated, and celebrated. CPHR Canada wanted to ensure that these important concepts were incorporated into the Competency Framework because they are so valued by employees and employers alike.
Another change was to remove the competency area Professional Practice. This competency focused on legislation and ethics, having business acumen and leadership skills. These skills are now incorporated within the newly introduced General Competencies instead.
In the previous Competency Framework, there were enabling competencies which incorporated a diverse set of skills into five loosely related areas. With the new framework, the scope has been broadened but also refined into twelve non-HR competencies, which are termed General Competencies.
The overall result of these changes led to the establishment of HR Competencies that are more specific to the work of today’s HR professional. The separation of competencies into HR-Specific Competencies and General Competencies helps the field move beyond the silos of “functional” HR areas, which results in the structure of the new framework being more strategic and integrative. These enhancements showcase the greater breadth of the practice of HR and reflect how the evolution of the professional is playing out in workplaces across Canada.
How do the changes affect members?
For members looking to write the National Knowledge Exam, the exam is based upon this updated Competency Framework. The General Competencies are covered lightly on the exam, making up just 10% of the questions. The other nine competencies are each covered with 10% of the exam.
The framework is also the foundation for those going through the Experience Validation Assessment. Candidates for the CPHR designation will need to show that they have proficiency in a variety of competencies in order to be successful on the experience assessment and gain the CPHR designation.
For members who already have their CPHR designation, this only affects them as they complete their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. In order for activities to count towards the CPD requirement, the activities need to be linked to at least one area of the Competency Framework. Because the framework is extensive and clear, it is quite simple for Chartered Members to ensure their CPD requirements fall into these categories.
The framework really covers everything HR so using the framework as a foundation for further learning or education is a great way to better yourself professionally. If you are looking for ways to expand your knowledge or if you want insight into which areas you require further information or training, looking at the competencies is a great starting point as it outlines what HR professionals should know in order to be the best they can be for their employees and organization as a whole.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog post belong solely to the original author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of CPHR Alberta.
Internal controls are not just a box on a checklist; they are a trust-building tool. When HR leads with transparency, integrity, and strong processes, it sends the message that the organization values trust and accountability. Internal controls can also protect against errors, fraud, and damage to its reputation. Internal controls support fair hiring, secure data management, and consistent documentation, helping HR stay aligned with laws, privacy standards, and compliance expectations. What are internal controls? Internal controls are an organization’s procedures, policies, and processes. They ensure: Compliance with laws, regulations, and policy Accuracy in reporting Overall efficiency and transparency in operations Internal controls include setting out approval authority, role-based system access, audit trails, and segregation of duties. Once your controls are in place, continuous monitoring them further reduce risk by identifying issues early and providing timely feedback on areas where additional training may be needed. Examples of HR internal controls and why an accountant might consider them important Hiring Background checks ensure individuals hired to handle sensitive data don’t have histories of financial misconduct Signed employment agreements support key inputs into the payroll process and can serve as audit documentation Approval workflow for hiring decisions help prevent unauthorized payroll expense s Payroll Segregation of duties between the person hiring and the person setting up payroll can prevent conflicts of interest and fraud Reconciliations of payroll reports with HR records help ensure records match the source data, which supports accurate financial reporting Compensation An assignment of authority for employee events (e.g., salary change, promotions) ensures changes are authorized and reduces the risk of unauthorized payments Supervisor approval on timecards ensures information sent to payroll is accurate Employee records Secure employee records ensure payroll, benefits, and compensation figures used in financial reporting are reliable and safe Tracking changes made to records provides a trail for internal and external auditors Policy and compliance Key company policies requiring an employee’s signature can mitigate financial risks and ensure employees are expected to be aware of an organization’s policies A whistleblower policy provides a mechanism to uncover fraud or misappropriation of an organization’s assets Access and data controls Role-based access to systems limits access to financial systems and reduces the risk of data manipulation Monitoring controls Exception reporting (e.g., duplicate payments) supports quick identification of errors and accuracy of financial reporting Internal HR audits help ensure HR-related financial activities have proper controls and the controls are working as designed By having an HR department that designs and implements internal controls, you are creating a stable system of checks and balances, minimizing risk in more ways than you might expect! About the author: Kristy Mielke CPA, CA fosters the professional growth of Alberta’s 32,000 Chartered Professional Accountants (CPAs) as the Director of Professional Development and Learning at CPA Alberta. She has previously worked in public practice and internal audit, and in addition to being a CPA, she is a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner.
As the governing voice of CPHR Alberta, the Board of Directors meet quarterly to provide oversight and guidance in several key areas. The Board, alongside CPHR Alberta operations, continues to deliver on the association's strategic priorities developed in the 2020 strategic plan. To ensure transparency between our Board of Directors, members and key stakeholders, we are sharing post-meeting messages to inform the steps taken towards advancing our profession and ensuring a financially stable association. The Board of Directors met on September 22, 2025, and the Board’s key messages are as follows: 2026 – 2028 Strategic Plan The Board unanimously approved CPHR Alberta’s new 2026 – 2028 Strategic Plan, which includes a refreshed organizational vision and mission. This forward-looking plan focuses on: Enhancing member value Promoting self-regulation Elevating the visibility of the CPHR designation Fostering a future-ready HR community Implementation begins immediately, with further details to be shared in the coming months. Stay tuned, our new Strategic Plan will be released this fall via email! Board Recruitment The Board has initiated preparations for the 2026 elections. We will once again be seeking CPHR, Retired CPHR, and public members. Additional details will be available in November. CPHR Canada and Collaboration Across Provinces The Board welcomed Philippe de Villers, Chair of CPHR Canada, who presented the national organization’s new strategic plan and the strong collaboration across provinces. Further updates will follow after CPHR Canada’s December Board meeting. You can view the CPHR Canada Strategic Plan here. Financial Management The Board reported that CPHR Alberta remains on track for a balanced 2025 budget, with no current financial risks identified. Engagement Board members will be attending our holiday mingles across the province starting in November. We invite you to join us in celebrating another successful year as a growing HR community. Visit the CPHR Alberta events page and watch your inbox, registration opens soon! The next Board meeting takes place in November 2025, after which we will again share our key messages. If you have any questions regarding these key messages or the Board of Directors, please contact chair@cphrab.ca . We welcome your feedback!
Each year on October 10th we commemorate World Mental Health day. A day dedicated to raising awareness, minimize stigma, and promote meaningful connections and conversations about mental well-being. In the modern fast-paced and high-pressured working world, mental health support comes as a crucial element beyond a wellness initiative. It helps to build a more resilient, compassionate, and productive workplace. For HR professionals this day is an important reminder in the role we play in creating a culture that prioritizes empathy, balance, and care. When employees are mentally supported, they are more engaged, collaborative, and better equipped to excel in their roles. Why Mental Well-Being Matters Mental health can affect anyone, regardless of position, age, industry, or experience. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2019, 970 million people globally battled mental health issues. Anxiety and depression being the most common disorders. The economic costs become substantial, with loss in productivity outstripping direct cost of care. Beyond numbers, the impact can ripple through teams and affect morale. Stress, burnout, and disengagement have real, impactful consequences. Acknowledging mental health and proactively making efforts to take care of employees strengthens companies as a whole. How Can Employers Support Employee Mental Health? While there is no “cookie cutter” formula to promote mental wellness – creating an environment where employees feel seen, heard, and supported is key. Here are a few actions HR can implement to make an impact: Foster Open Conversations Break the silence. Openly encouraging judgement-free conversations around mental health can reduce the stigma around the topic. Practicing empathy and sharing personal experiences can encourage others to also discuss their own experiences and current challenges. Access to Mental Health Resources Ensure employees know where they can turn to for help. Having an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with access to counseling, therapy, or mental-health hotlines and online support tools can increase awareness and better access to resources that can help employees whom are struggling with their mental health. HR can also work with benefits providers to increase coverage for mental health services or host workshops that focus on stress management and mindfulness as well as recognizing signs of burnout or emotional distress. Creating an environment within the workplace that promotes these habits also is important. Having quiet spaces to decompress, offering mental health days, or acknowledging small employee achievements can go a long way. Work-Life Balance Having a balance between work and personal life is key in maintaining mental health. Encourage employees to set realistic goals and expectations, honour their time off, and model such balanced behaviour themselves. Flexible work schedules, options to work remotely, regular check-ins, and encouraging boundaries can help employees better manage their workload and reduce burnout. Celebrating World Mental Health Day in the workplace World Mental Health Day is a great opportunity to remind and emphasize an organization’s commitment to well-being. Here are a few ways HR can promote and celebrate the day: Host a wellness workshop: Invite a speaker or mental-health professional to talk about coping strategies or tools for mindfulness Coffee & Connection: Have an informal meeting where employees can share their own ways to de-stress and support one another Share Resources: Share educational material or mental health tips through internal communication channels Closing Thoughts Mental health shouldn’t just be a one-day topic. It’s a constant year-round commitment to help take care of ourselves. On this World Mental Health Day, we should reflect on how to make our own workplaces safer, fostering compassionate and stigma-free spaces for everyone. As HR professionals we are in a key role to lead this change. We can advocate for open dialogue, sharing helpful resources, and nurturing an inclusive culture that values well-being just as much as performance. By working together, united we can create safer workplaces where employees can thrive both professionally and personally. When people feel supported, everyone benefits. Resources: https://www.who.int/health-topics/mental-health#tab=tab_2 About the Author: Rheya is a volunteer with the CPHR Alberta Social Media Committee, a young professional passionate about HR and creativity. With a Diploma and Bachelor's in Business Administration from SAIT, Rheya brings experience in project management, SEO, and social media. When not working, Rheya enjoys crocheting, writing a first novel, and binge-watching Harry Potter movies.
