There are a number of different types of human resources training programs. what you study all depends on where you want to go with human resources. There are human resources training programs that deal with administrative affairs such as payroll, or industrial relations relating to negotiation and liaison with the labor force. The level of educational qualification (e.g. associates, certificate, bachelors etc) that you opt for will also have a great bearing on what you can follow as a career. A simple, straightforward, timekeeping and bookkeeping course would prepare you for becoming payroll assistant dealing with day-to-day filing and logging of hours, maybe calculating tax payable at source by employees. More complex labor relations degrees are designed for a higher level of authority and responsibility. These might concentrate on negotiation skills, disciplinary procedures, grievance resolution, and employment law.

To a good approximation, the longer you spend in training, the more responsibility and authority you will be expected to take on once qualified. You may be happy to deal on a day-to-day basis with payroll and queries concerning expenses or tax. More senior roles might involve managing a large budget and team of people to ensure that your employer interviews, attracts and retains the best people possible for a specific role within the organization. You may be involved with sourcing, resources, training, and organizing pension plans and health care insurance company-wide.