Do I need a CIPD qualification to get ahead in HR? The answer is a decisive yes! The CIPD is one of the UK’s best regarded professional membership organisations and, as a result, CIPD qualifications are used by employers to assess if applicants have the right HR skills and knowledge for their organisation.
While it’s not a mandatory requirement to work in the people profession, most businesses expect their HR teams to be CIPD qualified. A simple scan through recent recruitment advertisements will confirm that CIPD qualifications offer you an edge in the job market.
Want to know more about CIPD careers then read on…
We’ve taken our salary data from Reed’s salary guides 2024 which looks at UK average salary and benefits across 16 sectors including HR.
CIPD careers
Jobs you can do with a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice
This is the perfect course to kickstart your HR career whether you are new to the profession or currently working in a support role. In as little as six months, you will gain a solid grounding in the people profession.
A CIPD Level 3 Certificate leads to roles including:
HR Assistant or HR Administrator
What do they do?
An HR assistant or HR administrator handles a variety of HR related duties, from processing payroll data and assisting with employee onboarding, to data entry and responding to queries online and by phone. Both roles cover all things employee related, and they require applicants to be knowledgeable about policies, regulations, and procedures.
Salary expectations
Average salaries for HR assistants in the South East are currently £26,100 and are expected to rise to £27,400 in 2025.
Career development plan
Enrol on a CIPD Level 3 course with Reed Learning and achieve CIPD Foundation Membership. You can start anytime and work at your own pace by taking advantage of our fully flexible online training or enjoy live virtual learning sessions. There are no formal entry requirements for this course.
Jobs you can do with a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
This popular CIPD course is ideal if you have some HR experience or a degree. Taking as little as nine months to complete, this associate diploma will give you the skills and knowledge you need for mid-level HR adviser or HR manager roles.
What do they do?
HR advisers usually have about two to three years of experience in a related admin role and support the employment needs of the workforce. Duties can range from resourcing new talent, providing advice on employee relations and supporting cultural change through training and development.
Salary expectations
Average salaries for HR advisers in the South West are currently £37,700.
A strong force in managing employer-employee relations, HR managers are involved in a wide range of activities from recruitment and training to disciplinary and grievance issues. You will either lead or be key support on the management of overall HR operations depending on the size of your business.
Salary expectations
HR managers or employee relations managers in the West Midlands now expect salaries around £55,500, up from £51,000 last year.
Career development plan
To start your CIPD journey and gain a more comprehensive view of the topics needed to become an HR adviser or an HR manager simply enquire with one of Reed Learning’s experts to discuss the course and the different studying methods we offer. Some HR experience is generally preferred for the level 5 diploma which leads to CIPD Associate Membership.
Jobs you can do with a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
If you want to take your HR career to the very top and gain the strategic skills for positions such as HR business partner, HR director or even chief people officer, then this prestigious course will get your CV noticed. We allow up to two years to complete the Advanced Diploma although some of our learners achieve this qualification in as little as 16 months.
What do they do?
HR business partners work closely with business leaders to develop an HR agenda in line with corporate goals. They do this by building relationships with senior management, researching the company’s business plans and determining what success looks like, which allows them to encourage the development and use of a coherent HR strategy throughout the business.
Salary expectations
HR business partners in East Midlands currently earn on average £50,400.
Often an executive level position, the CPO is regarded by many as the pinnacle of an HR career requiring years of skill, experience and knowledge. CPOs will have responsibility for all people-based activities within the organisation. Duties vary according to the size of the business, but generally the role includes being responsible for all HR decision making and employee related issues at both strategic and operational levels.
Salary expectations
CPOs in London on average receive £163,000 a year rising to up to £200,000 for organisations with more than 5,000 employees.
Career development plan
The CIPD Level 7 diploma is a major commitment in terms of time and money but achieving it brings significant professional rewards. For this level, we suggest you book a free personal diagnostic with one of our expert tutors who can go through what’s involved, the units offered and our range of learning methods. Many HR leaders who achieve this advanced qualification go on to gain Chartered CIPD membership, the industry’s mark of quality for people professionals.
Benefits of getting CIPD qualified
CIPD qualifications open the doors to many career opportunities, and the above is by no means an exhaustive list.
In addition to boosting your career prospects and qualifying you for a wide range of jobs, gaining a CIPD qualification will also:
Enable you to earn more money.
CIPD accredited professionals earn on
than their unqualified counterparts.
Give you an internationally recognised qualification.
With over 160,000 CIPD members all over the world, you’re guaranteed to gain an in-demand skill set.
Allow you to rapidly expand your people’s professional knowledge and skills.
CIPD courses provide you with ongoing and up to date knowledge that’s essential for any HR or L&D professional.
Unlock a range of job opportunities.
Every time you complete a new CIPD level, you’ll be climbing up your career ladder.
Become the go-to person in the workplace.
Like the idea of being the trusted expert at work? With a CIPD qualification you will gain the knowledge to offer trusted advice.
Build a community.
Join one of our CIPD programmes is a great way to meet people professionals from a range of different organisations across numerous industries.
A CIPD qualification is a fantastic opportunity to boost your career and grow your network while building your knowledge in the people profession. It can open doors to new roles and higher salaries, give you skills to build your career, increase your confidence and develop your self-awareness.
Want to learn more about how a CIPD qualification could help your career?