HR mentees urged to be ‘force for good’

Graduates of the 2025 InspireHR Mentorship programme were told they would be called upon to lead transformation in the workplace.

In delivering the feature address at the graduation ceremony, held recently at the Courtyard by Marriott, HR specialist and career coach at HR@Heart Consulting Julie Turney, whilst praising the programme, urged graduates to embrace their training and what it entailed.

“You are not just graduates. You are the future of HR.…The workplace is evolving faster than ever, and so too is the role of HR. No longer confined to administration or compliance, HR is now called on to lead as a force for transformation and good,” she said.

Turney urged those in attendance to approach transformation, not as daunting, but as part of the developmental process. “We cannot become transformational by chance. We must choose it. We must prepare for it. And we must support each other through it…So I’ll ask you: Are you ready to step up? Because stepping up means standing out. It means daring to ask hard questions, challenge outdated practices, and design systems where everyone has the chance to thrive,” she said.

The InspireHR Mentorship Programme began one year ago with “just an idea,” said director and owner of Career Coach International Inc, Tisha Peters.

She said it was designed to bring a level of support to HR professionals, and was rooted in the belief that there was a need for such support of those who would ultimately be the support system of real managed companies and businesses.

“I knew there were aspiring HR professionals out there with drive, ambition, and potential—but they needed access, guidance, and real-world support. Really, they needed an opportunity. And I knew there were seasoned professionals who wanted to give back, but needed a meaningful platform to do so,” Peters added.

Giving some background, she said, “In 2023, we quietly launched what was then the Career Coach Mentorship programme with the mission to bridge the gap between the classroom and opportunity in Human Resources. Our goal was simple: to provide practical experience, mentorship, and community to people entering or transitioning into the HR field—especially in our Caribbean context, where those opportunities can be limited. We started with about 22 mentees, some of whom went on to start their careers in HR and are still in those roles today. Some of them are here tonight giving back in their own way.”

The programme director stressed that the initiative was designed to ensure that the transition from training to execution was seamless. It was also an effort to showcase the importance of HR professionals, as the programme continues to grow and is having an impact.

The next step after graduation will be in the form of an alumni network, Peters said.

“We’ll be offering new workshops, deeper learning labs, and continuing to raise the standard for mentorship in HR. And we’ll keep creating spaces—to learn, to lead, and to grow,” she added.

The InspireHR programme is a comprehensive mentorship initiative geared towards aspiring human resources professionals who possess little to no experience at the start. It comprises 14 weeks of training to equip participants with the skills, knowledge and confidence to start successful HR careers.

“The training includes recruitment, onboarding, compensation and benefits, labour management and employee engagement as well as interactive sessions, real-world simulations and use of a Human Resource Information System (HRIS), with career development support designed to empower participants with a solid foundation for their future roles,” Peters explained.

The programme was supported by some members of Corporate Barbados including the Small Business Association, Underwood Talent Development and HR@Heart Consulting who provided assistance for the programme. (PR)