Tag: skills development

The South African skills development landscape is undergoing a significant transformation with the enrolment end-date of “legacy” qualifications “scheduled for 30 June 2024. Employers will no longer be able to registers learners on legacy qualifications not yet aligned to the Occupational Qualifications Sub-Framework (OQSF).

South Africa is at a crossroads of a significant educational and vocational transition as it shifts from the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) to the Occupational Qualifications Sub Framework (OQSF) managed by the Quality Council for trades and Occupations (QCTO).

For most South African businesses, the skills development component of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) scorecard is one of the most challenging and costly elements to deliver on. However, by strategically combining employed and unemployed learnerships, businesses can secure the most points for the least money spent, while achieving the best return on their training and skills development investment.

Companies sponsoring learnerships are looking beyond profit towards a better future. Business success is not only about profit margins and market share - it is also about positively impacting society and contributing to the growth of future leaders.

South Africa’s Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) is a major driving force behind addressing South Africa’s skills shortages across industries. Uniquely positioned in the Post School Education and Training (PSET) sector, the QCTO has been charged, essentially, with shaking things up and disrupting the status quo to address the inequalities of the past.

As South Africa moves into 2024, the landscape of Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is poised for significant shifts. The B-BBEE framework has been a cornerstone of economic transformation in our country, aiming to address historical imbalances and promote inclusive economic growth.

Effective communication, emotional intelligence (EQ), trust, and willingness to be vulnerable are the most sought-after qualities for today’s business leaders. New global research reveals a significant shift in our relationship with work and our expectations of it in recent years with employees seeking work environments in which they can grow. In a nutshell: we want more from our work and our bosses.

A recent roundtable discussion we co-hosted with Microsoft sparked a debate whether SA’s unemployment challenges are truly about job availability rather than a mismatch in skills demand and supply.

As the Matric Class of 2023 nears the conclusion of their school career, a few of these learners will recognise Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) as a section in business studies. However, B-BBEE – and how companies decide to implement their skills development initiatives – may be the defining factor that determines some of these young people’s career prospects and future.

In the dynamic world of job interviews, there is one question that often sends a chill down the spine of job seekers - "What were you doing during this gap in your resume?" This seemingly innocent question can trigger fear, doubt, and discomfort in the minds of job seekers.