What should professional personnel qualifications certify?

Current and foreseeable challenges facing the UK's National Health Service are calling for new personnel management roles and responsibilities for both line managers and human resource professionals. The existing system of training for human resource professionals needs to change to support these new performance expectations. Identifies seven features of a more appropriate system and four key themes. Discusses the potential contribution of National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and the need for a new relationship between NHS employers, academics and learners. Draws conclusions for the training of all professionals who may work in the future NHS.