Workforce planning in regulatory departments plays a vital role in ensuring the department’s ability to align the organisation’s workforce, with its regulatory responsibilities. With the ever-changing landscape of regulations, workforce planning is critical. It ensures each department has the appropriate number of employees equipped with the necessary skills.
What do you need to consider when workforce planning in regulatory bodies?
The first step in workforce planning is to assess the regulatory needs of the department. This involves identifying the specific regulatory functions and responsibilities of the department, understanding the regulatory landscape, and determining the level of expertise required to fulfil those responsibilities.
Based on the regulatory needs, HR directors forecast the future workforce requirements. This involves analysing factors such as workload projections, regulatory changes, emerging technologies, and policy priorities, that may impact the department’s staffing needs.
HR directors work closely with departmental leaders and subject matter experts to identify the required skill sets and competencies for regulatory roles. They assess the specific knowledge, qualifications, certifications, and technical skills needed to effectively enforce regulations and ensure compliance. They also need to evaluate the existing workforce within the regulatory department to determine any skill gaps, shortages, or areas of excess.
Workforce requirements
Based on the workforce requirements and skill gaps identified, HR directors will need to develop recruitment strategies to attract individuals with the required regulatory expertise. They may collaborate with hiring managers to design job descriptions, define selection criteria, and engage in targeted recruitment efforts.
As a HRD you will need to ensure that training and development programs are in place to enhance the skills and competencies of regulatory staff. This may involve providing regulatory-specific training, organising workshops, encouraging professional certifications, and promoting continuous learning opportunities. This will keep employees up-to-date with evolving regulatory requirements and best practices.
Engaging in succession planning ensures a smooth transition of key regulatory roles. It will allow you to identify high-potential employees and create development plans to develop them for future leadership positions. Succession planning helps maintain regulatory continuity and prevent any disruptions in regulatory oversight due to retirements or turnover.
Challenges faced
As regulatory boards operate in dynamic environments, it can be difficult to keep up and align workforce planning strategies accordingly. The need to adapt to new technologies, emerging industries, and changing priorities adds complexity to forecasting future workforce needs.
Regulatory roles often require specialised knowledge and skills. Finding individuals with the specific expertise needed to enforce regulations and ensure compliance can be challenging. There may be a limited pool of candidates with the desired skill sets, particularly in niche regulatory areas, leading to intense competition for talent.
Advancements in technology, such as automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, are reshaping regulatory processes. Workforce planning must account for the impact of technology on job roles and skills required. Identifying which tasks can be automated and which need human expertise is essential to effectively allocate resources and train employees accordingly.
Regulatory boards often interact with various stakeholders, including other government agencies, industry associations, and the public. Collaboration and coordination with these stakeholders can be challenging, particularly when aligning workforce planning efforts and sharing data or resources. Building effective partnerships and communication channels is crucial for successful workforce planning.
Retaining Talent
Once regulatory boards recruit skilled professionals, retaining them becomes crucial. Highly qualified individuals in regulatory fields may be sought after by other organisations, including private sector companies offering more lucrative compensation packages. Retention strategies, career development opportunities, and competitive compensation structures must be in place. It’s also important these are communicated from the start of the recruitment process, to ensure you retain top talent.
OUR FOCUS ON LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS
At re:find we believe that recruitment is not a one-off transaction but rather a long-term partnership. We aim to build long-term relationships with our clients, providing ongoing support and advice to help them find and retain the best talent for their organisation.
We understand that every organisation is unique and that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to recruitment. That’s why we offer bespoke recruitment solutions that are tailored to meet the specific needs of each client. Whether you need help with a single hire or a full recruitment campaign, we can help.
We are committed to providing our clients with the highest quality service. We take the time to understand your organisation’s culture and values, as well as the specific skills and experience needed for each role.
For more information on re:find please get in contact with our Managing Director, James Cumming.
