Workforce Planning Process

Organisations today face unprecedented challenges in attracting, retaining, developing, and planning for future talent needs. The ability to align workforce capabilities with strategic business objectives has become a critical skill for HR professionals, managers, and organisational leaders.

The Certificate in Workforce Planning Process is a Level 9 professional development programme designed to equip learners with the practical skills, analytical tools, and strategic knowledge needed to deliver effective workforce planning solutions. Through a combination of workforce analytics, strategic HR planning, succession planning, and evidence-based decision-making, participants will learn how to build a workforce capable of supporting organisational growth and long-term success.

Whether you are an HR practitioner, workforce planner, talent management specialist, or business leader, this workforce planning course will help you develop the expertise required to address workforce challenges and create sustainable people strategies.

In collaboration with the Government of Ireland through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), this course is available to 15 eligible learners with an 80% discount of the fees. The student contribution is €190 with €760 being contributed by the HEA. In order to qualify for a subsidised place you must meet the strict eligibility criteria detailed at: https://microcreds.ie/subsidy-eligibility.

Initial offers will be strictly conditional on you meeting the eligibility criteria, and you will be required to evidence your eligibility in the weeks prior to course commencement date. Failure to do so, or false declarations may result in your subsidised place being revoked which will make you liable for the full course fee. The Learner Fee Subsidy s a separate scheme to Springboard+, you must apply for micro-credentials approved for the learner fee subsidy here - HEA - Springboard+

It is important to note that if you are not eligible for a funded place, you can apply for a place on the course as a self financing student.

The programme will typically run over 12 weeks on one evening per week from 7pm to 10pm. It will be delivered online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard. 

Why Study Workforce Planning?

Effective workforce planning enables organisations to anticipate future talent requirements, manage workforce risks, and ensure the right people are in the right roles at the right time.

This workforce planning certification will help you:

• Align workforce planning with strategic business goals
• Develop workforce plans based on organisational needs and priorities
• Use people analytics and workforce data to support decision-making
• Improve recruitment, retention, and employee engagement outcomes
• Strengthen succession planning and talent management strategies
• Address workforce shortages, skills gaps, and future capability requirements
• Build evidence-based HR strategies that deliver measurable business value

As organisations increasingly rely on workforce analytics and data-driven HR practices, professionals with workforce planning expertise are in growing demand across both public and private sectors.

What You Will Learn

This programme provides a comprehensive understanding of workforce planning processes and strategic workforce management, including:

Strategic Workforce Planning

Learn how to connect workforce planning activities to organisational strategy and business planning processes. Explore frameworks and models that support workforce forecasting, resource allocation, and organisational effectiveness.

Workforce Analytics and People Data

Develop the skills to gather, analyse, interpret, and communicate workforce data. Learn how people analytics can improve decision-making and support workforce planning initiatives across an organisation.

Talent Management and Succession Planning

Understand how organisations identify, develop, and retain talent. Explore practical approaches to succession planning, leadership pipelines, and workforce sustainability.

Demand, Capacity and Resource Planning

Learn how to forecast workforce demand, assess workforce supply, and develop strategies to address workforce shortages, surpluses, and changing organisational requirements.

Workforce Risk and Organisational Performance

Examine workforce-related risks including employee turnover, recruitment challenges, skills shortages, absenteeism, and workforce capability gaps. Develop strategies to improve organisational resilience and performance.

Integrated Human Resource Planning

Explore how recruitment, performance management, learning and development, rewards, employee engagement, and workforce planning work together to support organisational success.

Flexible Learning for Working Professionals

Designed for busy professionals, the programme offers flexible learning opportunities supported by online resources, digital learning technologies, and academic guidance. Learners can engage with course materials, participate in discussions, and apply their learning directly to workplace challenges.

The programme's practical focus ensures that participants gain real-world workforce planning skills that can be immediately implemented within their organisations.

Assessment

Assessment is based on a substantial project that allows learners to apply workforce planning concepts, workforce analytics techniques, and strategic HR planning approaches to a real organisational context. This practical assessment ensures graduates develop workplace-ready skills and experience.

Who Should Apply?

This workforce planning programme is ideal for:

• HR professionals and HR managers
• Human resource business partners
• Talent management specialists
• Learning and development professionals
• Organisational development practitioners
• Public sector managers
• Business leaders responsible for workforce strategy
• Professionals seeking expertise in workforce analytics and people planning

Career Benefits

Graduates will gain advanced skills in:

• Strategic workforce planning
• People analytics and workforce data analysis
• Human resource planning
• Talent management and succession planning
• Workforce forecasting and capacity planning
• Organisational development
• Evidence-based HR decision-making

These skills are increasingly sought after by organisations seeking to improve workforce performance, strengthen talent pipelines, and build future-ready organisations.

Build the Workforce of the Future

The Certificate in Workforce Planning Process provides a valuable opportunity to develop advanced workforce planning capabilities, strengthen strategic HR expertise, and enhance your ability to contribute to organisational success.

If you are looking to advance your career in human resources, talent management, workforce analytics, or organisational development, this programme will provide the knowledge, practical skills, and professional credibility needed to make a meaningful impact in today's evolving workplace.