Chartered occupational psychologist Malcolm Starkey was the speaker at the HR Practitioners' Meeting on October 9.

With the importance of psychometric testing and interest in its application to the HR field growing, the subject was stimulating.

Mr Starkey, managing director of OPPC Prolead Ltd, an HR consultancy he set up in Manchester in 1986, gave an overview of the psychometric tests used to cover character strengths and weaknesses in the course of recruitment, providing profiles of candidates' suitability for a position.

There are two types of these tests: aptitude tests assess abilities; and personality questionnaires help to build a profile of a person's characteristics and personality.

Having answered the question "what can psychometric testing and assessment centres do for me as an HR manager in Malta?" Mr Starkey went on to illustrate their applications from his experience in organisations like the Peugeot Motor Co. UK, Royal & Sun Alliance, Shell UK Oil and Glanbia Foodservice.

An interesting question and answer session brought the meeting to a close.