The HR Consultant – An Experiential Learning Approach: A case study approach of HR students working on live client projects

This chapter explores how final year Human Resource Management students develop key Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) and consultancy skills by undertaking a group consultancy project (as an alternative to a traditional dissertation) for organisations, supervised by the Business Clinic, Northumbria University team. By adopting an experiential learning approach, the use of external client projects exposes the students to a range of real-life scenarios and experiences which enables them to articulate skills and attributes related to the CIPD Professional Map. This chapter examines four case studies: Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue, NC Insurance, W@terstons and Lamesley Childcare. The case studies also include valuable recommendations for the client, along with reflective comments from both the client and students who engaged in the consultancy process.