CIPD Courses: Learning and Development or Human Resources?

If you’re thinking of a career in people management, a CIPD qualification is one of the best ways to get started.  

But if you’ve still not decided on the exact career path you want to follow, you might be wondering: “should I do a CIPD Learning & Development or CIPD Human Resources course?” 

The short answer?  

• Human Resources (HR) is broader and covers everything from hiring and employee relations to workplace policy and business strategy.  

• Learning and Development (L&D) is more specialised, with a focus on training, upskilling, and professional development.  

Both paths offer excellent and unique opportunities, but the right choice will depend on what your interests and long-term goals are. 

In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between HR and L&D, the career paths you can follow with each, and how a CIPD qualification can help you succeed in either role. 

What’s the difference between Human Resources and Learning & Development? 

We all know that an HR department is the backbone of most successful businesses, working to make sure that the right people are hired, supported, and developed over the span of their careers. 

At first glance, you might think that HR and L&D are similar because they both deal with people management – but their focus areas are actually very different! 

HR (Human Resources) 

HR professionals handle the entire employee experience, managing everything from recruitment and onboarding to company policies and organisational strategy.  

They’re the masterminds that shape workplace culture and make sure businesses stay in line with employment law and best practices. 

L&D (Learning & Development) 

On the other hand, L&D professionals focus specifically on helping employees grow and upskill.  

Their role is to identify skill gaps, design training programmes, support development, and boost overall business performance through learning. 

HR and L&D both play a crucial role in people management, but if you enjoy strategy, policies, and business operations, HR might be the right fit. If you’re interested in coaching, training, and helping people develop their skills, then L&D could be the path for you. 

Should I study CIPD Learning and Development or HR? 

At the end of the day, choosing between HR and L&D really comes down to your interests and career ambitions. 

Trying to choose between two equally dynamic roles might feel daunting, but don’t worry! One of the great things about doing a CIPD course at MOL is that we give you the flexibility to explore elements of both HR and L&D. 

The core skills covered in CIPD courses – like organisational performance, talent management, and decision-making - are applicable across both specialisations, making it a lot easier to explore different paths as you go. 

Lots of professionals start out in the HR field before moving to L&D later, and vice versa. By studying with us at MOL, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of both careers, giving you more options as your learning progresses.  

What does an HR professional do? 

Like we’ve mentioned, a career in HR is ideal for anyone who enjoys working in strategy, dealing with people one-on-one, solving problems, and making sure things run smoothly within a business. 

On a day-to-day basis, HR professionals might be responsible for: 

• Recruiting the right people and managing onboarding 

• Encouraging a positive workplace culture and handling any disputes 

• Supporting managers and leaders in developing high-performing teams 

• Making sure the business stays compliant with employment laws 

• Aligning wider business goals with people strategy 

HR roles can range from HR Advisor and HR Business Partner to more senior positions like HR Director and Chief People Officer.  

No matter what your ideal HR job is, a CIPD HR qualification is one of the best ways to get started or advance in the industry.  

At MOL, we offer CIPD-accredited HR courses at CIPD Level 3, CIPD Level 5, and CIPD Level 7 – to give you the skills and confidence employers look for, no matter what kind of knowledge or experience you have. 

What does a Learning & Development professional do? 

A career in L&D is all about helping people grow. If you enjoy coaching, training, and developing others, this could be the perfect fit for you! 

Generally, L&D professionals focus on: 

• Designing learning strategies and techniques that boost performance 

• Supporting both employees and managers in their professional development  

• Assessing skills gaps and creating development plans which address them 

• Making sure training leads to real improvements in team and business performance 

Popular L&D roles include L&D Specialist and Training Manager and can extend to Head of Learning and Talent Director. 

The best Learning & Development courses will put you on track to building the skills needed to succeed in a thriving industry. At MOL, we offer CIPD-accredited L&D courses that’ll teach you practical skills for real-world learning environments. 

Which HR Certification is the best in the UK? 

Anyone in the world of people management knows that CIPDs are the most respected and recognised qualifications in the UK (and beyond). 

Lots of employers now require candidates to be CIPD-accredited as a standard for higher-paid HR and L&D roles. 

This is just another of many reasons that CIPD qualifications are a worthy investment in your future! 

While other accreditations like SHRM or HCRI are more common in the US, CIPD is the leading choice for UK professionals – without a doubt! 

There are so many benefits of a CIPD course – here are just a few: 

• Practical, real-world HR or L&D skills 

• Industry recognition that boosts your employability 

• Admission to an unmatched network of CIPD professionals 

• Access to exclusive CIPD member resources, including financial support, discounts, events, and more. 

HR or L&D: Choosing the right path with MOL 

Both HR and L&D offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities. Whether you’re drawn to strategic people management or hands-on coaching and development, a CIPD qualification can help you achieve your career goals. 

At MOL, we specialise in CIPD-accredited courses that offer flexible online learning options, expert support from industry professionals, and career-focused training that employers highly value. 

Whichever career you go for, MOL’s CIPD courses will give you the knowledge, confidence, and qualifications you need to succeed.  

Get started with us – explore our CIPD Learning & Development or CIPD Human Resources courses and get enrolled to join our community of learners today.