Ursula Fear | Senior Manager | Talent Program | Salesforce | mail me |
The solution to youth unemployment and the skills crisis lies in upskilling and empowering youth with future digital skills. Relevant digital skills should be developed before they enter the workplace.
ICT certifications alone are not enough to meet the rate of change in the workplace. They also cannot secure sustainable job creation. South African companies hiring young people with practical skills will succeed. These skills should meet current and future business demands.
Business leaders across Africa emphasise empowering youth with future skills. This must align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 8. There is a rising demand for AI skills across industries and job roles. Youth need essential AI skills for employability and entrepreneurship. AI training should be inclusive, equitable, and practical. This will prepare future generations to enhance tomorrow’s digital skills.
Partnership critical to address skills crisis
Our research shows that over 60% of full-time desk workers lack skills to use generative AI technology. Most of these workers believe AI knowledge will advance their careers. Therefore, training the next generation in AI is essential. Reskilling the current workforce in AI is also crucial. This focus on AI skills is a key part of the tech revolution.
AI specialists need empowerment now to implement best AI practices for the future. We must act urgently to avoid an excess of certified but unemployable young people entering the workforce. Importing talent is not a sustainable solution. Extending contracts for foreign workers is not a viable fix for this issue.
We need to upskill locally and ensure that we have the talent to take the vital technology sector, which contributes about 8% to the economy, to the next level.
South Africa needs a mindset change as the government cannot tackle the skills crisis alone. Collaboration and partnership with the business sector are essential. Together, they must create long-term solutions to address the digital skills gap. Providing youth with hands-on experience is a key part of this strategy.
Education and tertiary certifications are critical for empowering the ICT workforce. However, hands-on experience and mentorship are truly needed. These will help develop sustainable leaders and entrepreneurs for the future. Such efforts will contribute to the growth of South Africa’s economy.
Gen Z needs both theoretical knowledge and practical skills
As South Africa’s youth navigate the challenges of high unemployment, it’s clear that traditional ICT certifications alone are not enough to meet the rapid changes in the technology sector.
Gen Z requires a more hands-on approach to skills training, combining practical experience with mentorship to develop a workforce ready to meet current and future demands. Recognising this urgency, Huawei has been actively involved in advancing the youth ICT sector for a digital, intelligent future.
– Vanashree Govender, Media and Communications Manager at Huawei SA
In line with this commitment, Huawei’s flagship programme, LEAP focuses on providing practical, hands-on experience in addition to traditional training. At the LEAP Summit 2024, Huawei announced its plan to train an additional 150,000 talents in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next three years. This initiative builds on their initial goal to equip over 100,000 people with digital skills by 2025, a target they have already surpassed.
LEAP aims to foster strong digital leadership and create a skilled ICT workforce by offering a comprehensive range of activities, including ICT training and certification courses, government digital capacity building, and ICT skills competitions. This approach highlights the importance of the private sector in empowering South Africa’s Gen Z with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring they are prepared to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Entrepreneurship fosters creativity and resilience
Teaching young people entrepreneurship skills is crucial, as it fosters creativity, resilience, and a sense of agency, benefiting both individuals and society as a whole.
Entrepreneurship drives economic growth by creating jobs, fostering innovation, and increasing productivity. When young people learn how to start and manage businesses, they contribute to the overall prosperity of their communities and countries. But more than that, entrepreneurship empowers young people to take control of their destinies. By teaching them how to identify opportunities, develop business ideas, and execute plans, we equip them with the tools to shape their futures.
– Didi Onwu, Managing Editor of Anzisha, a three-year fellowship programme that supports young African entrepreneurs between the ages of 15 and 22.
Teaching young people entrepreneurial skills encourages critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability. They learn to find solutions, pivot when necessary, and overcome challenges, and while not everyone will become an entrepreneur, entrepreneurial skills are valuable in any career. Whether working for themselves or others, young people who understand business principles can contribute to job creation and economic stability.
Using Low-code tools for simple tech skills development
With more than 50% of South African employers reporting that they are recruiting essential ICT skills overseas it’s clear that there is a massive demand for digital skills training in this country. The most in-demand expertise, and one of the most challenging to find locally, is within the software development field.
Zoho works with micro, small and medium enterprises to create digital literacy and provide critical skill development.
We need to future-proof children so that they are equipped to apply for jobs that require digital and development skills.
– Andrew Bourne, Regional Manager, Africa at Zoho Corporation
With low-code platforms, for example, citizen developers can create complex and powerful business applications without requiring costly and lengthy training. Most low-code application development can be managed with users who only have moderate technical knowledge.
Related FAQs: Gen Z skills development
Q: What are the essential soft skills that Generation Z needs to succeed in the workplace?
A: Generation Z needs essential soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem-solving and interpersonal skills to thrive in the modern workplace. These skills are crucial for professional success and help bridge the soft skills gap that many Gen Z workers face.
Q: How can employers support the professional development of Gen Z employees?
A: Employers can support the professional development of Gen Z employees by providing learning opportunities, mentorship programs and access to online learning resources. This approach appeals to Gen Z’s eagerness for personal development and equips them with the skills needed for their careers.
Q: Why is there a soft skills gap among Gen Z workers?
A: The soft skills gap among Gen Z workers can be attributed to various factors, including the impact of the pandemic on traditional learning environments, which limited opportunities for interpersonal skills development. As a result, many Gen Zers may lack the essential soft skills that are often developed through face-to-face interactions.
Q: What role does online learning play in the professional development of Generation Z?
A: Online learning plays a significant role in the professional development of Generation Z by providing flexible and accessible learning opportunities. It allows Gen Z to enhance their professional skills and soft skills at their own pace, which is particularly important for those entering a rapidly evolving workforce.
Q: How can organisations bridge the soft skills gap for Gen Z in the workplace?
A: Organisations can bridge the soft skills gap for Gen Z in the workplace by implementing targeted training programs focused on soft skills development, encouraging collaboration among employees and creating a culture that values continuous learning and feedback.
Q: What are some effective methods to develop soft skills among Gen Z employees?
A: Effective methods to develop soft skills among Gen Z employees include interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, group projects and real-world problem-solving scenarios. These methods engage Gen Z workers and prepare them for professional challenges.
Q: How does the professional development of Generation Z differ from that of millennials?
A: The professional development of Generation Z differs from that of millennials in that Gen Z is more focused on practical skills and immediate results. While millennials often sought purpose and passion in their work, Gen Z prioritises professional skills that lead to job security and career advancement.
Q: What can Gen Zers do to enhance their own professional development and career prospects?
A: Gen Zers can enhance their professional development and career prospects by actively seeking out learning and development opportunities, participating in internships, networking with professionals and continuously working on their soft skills to remain competitive in the workforce.