Proving Expertise Through Certification – ATD (Association for Talent Development)

Report on Professional Development and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Case Study: Jane von Halle, CPTD

This report analyzes the professional journey of Jane von Halle, a Director of Talent Development in the health industry, focusing on the role of professional certification in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

1.0 Commitment to Lifelong Learning and Quality Education (SDG 4)

Jane von Halle achieved the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential in 2020, demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning opportunities, a key target of SDG 4 (Quality Education).

• Motivation: The pursuit of the CPTD was driven by a desire to formally validate professional mastery and experience in the talent development field, aligning with SDG 4.4, which aims to increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment and decent jobs.
• Educational Background: Her academic foundation in learning and organizational change, supplemented by the CPTD, exemplifies a pathway of continuous professional education.

2.0 Enhancing Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The CPTD credential has had a direct positive impact on Ms. von Halle’s career, underscoring the link between advanced skills training and the promotion of decent work and economic growth as outlined in SDG 8.

• Career Advancement: The certification was instrumental in securing her current director-level position, showcasing how credentials can facilitate upward mobility and access to full and productive employment.
• Industry Impact: As a leader in the health industry, her expertise contributes to strengthening the workforce of a critical sector, indirectly supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by improving organizational effectiveness.
• Professional Standards: Ms. von Halle notes that certification helps distinguish a level of professionalism and expertise, which elevates the talent development field and contributes to building a more skilled, resilient, and productive global workforce in line with SDG 8.

3.0 Strategic Recommendations for Sustainable Human Capital Development

Ms. von Halle’s experience provides actionable insights for fostering sustainable talent development practices that support multiple SDGs.

1. Utilize Quality Educational Resources: Her advice to study with official ATD materials emphasizes the importance of using quality-assured resources to achieve educational and professional goals (SDG 4).
2. Promote Internal Succession and Mentorship: The guidance for managers to train employees to be capable of assuming their roles is a direct application of sustainable human resource management. This practice fosters inclusive growth (SDG 8), promotes knowledge sharing (SDG 17), and builds institutional capacity.
3. Leverage Employer Support: The use of professional development reimbursement funds highlights the role of organizations in investing in their employees, a practice that supports both individual growth and the achievement of broader economic and social goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article focuses on professional development, lifelong learning, and the acquisition of specialized skills through certification. Jane von Halle’s pursuit of the Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential is a clear example of continuing education to enhance her qualifications and expertise, which is a core component of SDG 4’s aim to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article connects professional development directly to employment and career advancement. Jane pursued the certification to “demonstrate my mastery and experience in the talent development field during my job search” and believes it “helped me get my current job.” This highlights the link between acquiring relevant skills and achieving full and productive employment, a key objective of SDG 8.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

• Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
  • Explanation: Jane’s pursuit of the CPTD credential is a direct effort to acquire and validate “relevant skills” for her profession. She explicitly states she wanted to “demonstrate my mastery and experience in the talent development field” and that the certification helps “distinguish a level of professionalism and expertise,” which are crucial for employment and decent jobs in her field.
• Target 8.5: “By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value.”
  • Explanation: The article provides a personal account of how professional certification contributes to achieving productive employment. Jane believes the credential “helped me get my current job,” demonstrating a direct link between upskilling and securing employment. This aligns with the goal of ensuring individuals have the necessary qualifications for productive work.
• Target 8.6: “By 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.”
  • Explanation: While Jane is not a youth, the principle of employer support for continuing education is relevant to this target. Her employer provided “professional development reimbursement funds” for her certification. This type of support is a key mechanism for keeping the workforce engaged in education and training, thereby reducing the risk of unemployment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not provide quantitative data but implies several qualitative indicators for measuring progress:

• Indicator for Target 4.4: The acquisition of professional certifications like the CPTD can serve as an indicator. The article implies this through Jane’s testimony that the credential helps “demonstrate my level of expertise in the field.” The existence and pursuit of such credentials by professionals is a measure of an adult population gaining relevant skills for employment.
• Indicator for Target 8.5: A qualitative indicator is the role of professional qualifications in securing employment. Jane’s statement, “Professionally, I think it helped me get my current job,” serves as an anecdotal data point suggesting that individuals with certified skills are successfully achieving productive employment.
• Indicator for Target 8.6: The availability of employer-funded professional development programs is an implied indicator. The article mentions, “I used professional development reimbursement funds to go towards my pursuit of the credential.” The prevalence of such employer support systems can be measured to track progress in keeping employees engaged in training and education.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: td.org