Basics to Develop Web Services for Human Resources

Abstract

In this article certain pillars as basics are presented being necessary to develop Web services (W3C, 2007) supporting human resource (HR) processes like assessing, hiring, modeling information systems, staffing, and so forth; by the help of these Web services. Current HR information systems in general do not adequately support tasks related to cross-organizational or global skills and competence management. In the following, the topic is presented which relates to knowledge management especially to “communities of practice,” as well as related topics such as e-skills and ICT (information and communication technologies) professionalism; the latter currently being broadly discussed by experts in Europe. HR managers of a company or an organization are challenged through the need to formalize skills requirements and to continuously monitor the skills demand inside the company. Obtaining ICT skills are not a one-time event. Technological change advances at a high speed and requires that skills need continually to be kept up-to-date and relevant (The European e-Skills Forum [ESF], 2005). During the last years, new concepts have emerged which intend to empower learners and individuals to steer learning processes to a large extent on their own. Learning objectives tend to be increasingly individual in character (ESF, 2005). In this context, providing an appropriate infrastructure which supports the continuing professional development (CPD) of employees is today a key issue.CPD processes require a respective infrastructure encompasses besides qualifications, skills/competence frameworks and body of knowledge, as well required standards for competence, skills, and appropriate career and development services. Standards encompass educational and industry-oriented performance standards which in turn are expressed preferably through a common language as competence and skills standards. The governance and administration of the CPD process require the availability of flexible and personalized certification services which offer the formal validation of individuals’ learning achievements independent of where and how they were acquired.