HomeCoursesHuman Resources (HR) Fundamentals

👥 Human Resources (HR) Fundamentals

Free HR fundamentals with a signed certificate. Learn the modules, pass the exam.

Last updated: June 2026

A practical, vendor-neutral introduction to the full employee lifecycle — from workforce planning, recruitment and onboarding through compensation, performance, learning, engagement and offboarding. You will learn the core HR functions, the employment-law and ethical guardrails that govern them, and the metrics that prove HR's value to the business. It maps to Core HR / SHRM body of knowledge. The course is organized into 22 modules, ending with a final exam (pass mark 80%). It is free awareness-level training designed for anyone who needs a practical, working understanding of the topic.

What you'll learn

  • What HR is & the role of HR
  • HR strategy & alignment with business
  • Workforce & HR planning
  • Job analysis & job design
  • Recruitment & sourcing
  • Selection & structured interviewing
  • Onboarding & induction
  • Employer brand & employee value proposition
  • Compensation fundamentals & pay equity
  • Benefits & total rewards
  • Performance management & appraisals
  • Learning & development / training
  • Talent management & succession planning
  • Employee engagement & retention
  • Employee relations & communication
  • Employment law basics
  • Workplace health, safety & wellbeing
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)
  • HR policies & the employee handbook
  • HR metrics & analytics
  • HR technology (HRIS) & digital HR
  • HR ethics, data privacy & professional conduct

Learning objectives

  • Describe the purpose of HR and how it creates value across the employee lifecycle
  • Align HR strategy and people practices with business goals
  • Conduct workforce planning, job analysis and job design
  • Run fair, structured recruitment and selection that reduces bias
  • Design effective onboarding, performance management and development
  • Explain compensation, benefits and total-rewards fundamentals, including pay equity
  • Apply employment-law basics: non-discrimination, contracts and working time
  • Build engagement, retention, employee relations and a positive workplace culture
  • Use HR metrics, analytics and HR technology (HRIS) responsibly
  • Uphold HR ethics, data privacy (GDPR) and professional conduct
  • Pass a 45-question exam (80% to earn your certificate)