Tag: skill shortages

In South Africa, we sit with a paradox that should concern every business leader. On one hand, unemployment remains stubbornly high, particularly among young people. On the other hand, organisations are grappling with a deepening skills crisis.

Earlier this year, the South African government launched its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework. This is a strategic initiative aimed at harnessing AI for public value and socio-economic advancement. The policy positions AI as a tool to enhance decision-making, improve public services and foster innovation across sectors. However, a recent survey we conducted with Oxford Economics, involving nearly 500 senior government executives across 14 countries, reveals a significant obstacle.

South Africa is experiencing a monumental uptick in its renewable energy sector, driven by a number of factors including rapid expansion, increased investment, and the rising need for homes and businesses to reduce their reliance on the national power grid. This burgeoning industry, however, faces a formidable challenge: a critical shortage of skilled labour.

Africa’s CEOs are looking at new ways to generate revenue and are investing in new skills. Africa’s CEOs tell us how they are navigating today’s workplace challenges and building a more resilient and adaptable workforce. The African continent is a hub of economic activity with a growing business sector that is increasingly becoming globally competitive.

Daring to dream is the greatest skill that a learnership can teach. South Africa faces a unique dilemma – we have the highest youth unemployment in the world, yet there is a shortage of skilled people to fill positions in many sectors. Businesses want workers who can hit the ground running, yet matriculants don’t have the skills or the understanding of the work environment to make the required impact.

In light of increasing technological advancements, employers must identify future skills in order to provide a flexible and agile workplace. A skills gap analysis can help determine the most valuable skills for a company and establish a plan for staff development.

In celebrating the Youth Month, we are reminded that the uprising that began in Soweto more than 40 years ago was all about education, and how it profoundly changed the socio-political landscape of the country.