The problems that HR Managers are faced with in South Africa are very real and seemingly impossible to overcome. One of these problems is the war on talent. Highly skilled employees are enticed with bigger salaries and defect to other companies, leaving the HR Manager stuck with the headache of hiring another skilled employee to take their place.
With this article, we are going have a look at why this is happening and propose our strategy to combat the devastating war on talent.
Skill Scarcity
Over the last twenty or so years, South Africa lost many a highly skilled person to first-world countries such as Australia, the United States of America and Britain. These individuals left behind a void, a void which could not be filled instantly. The government intervened and instigated SETAs in order to train people on the job. But still there are numerous job positions which cannot be filled due to a lack of the proper people.
“In the 2014/2015 financial year, about 28% of levy-paying organisations reported a current scarcity of qualified and experienced people. A total number of 2 117 qualified people (mainly professionals) were required to meet the skills need in 2012/2013. The 2015/2016 Professional, Vocational, Technical and Academic Learning (PIVOTAL) skills analysis results indicate that 3 100 qualified people are required to fill in position, with 40% of those required falling in the trainee accountants/auditors/article clerks category.”
Unemployment Is On the Rise
The shocking truth of the matter is that South Africa’s unemployment number is not diminishing, even in the face of the current war on talent crisis. More and more young people, fresh out of college or university, simply cannot find employment due to a lack of work experience. They hardly stand a chance. People without formal education are even less likely to be hired.
Companies Have a Responsibility to the Socio-Economic Development of the Country
Here is our solution to this monstrous problem: Companies must commit to learnerships.
Commit to build the communities around you. Empower the people to take their future into their own hands, to take charge and make a better life for those they love and care for. And once they have made a difference in the lives of those around them, they can also empower others to make a better life for themselves. Before you know it, South Africa will build itself up and the Rand will be a financial force to be reckoned with and businesses will flourish. It all starts with learnerships.
Do you need more information on the appropriate learnership for the employees in your company? Let us know by using the form on the Contact Us page and we will be glad to assist you.
I-Fundi Article by Susan Long