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South Africa has a critical skills shortage. The most sought-after skills are director of enterprise, policy and planning managers, corporate general managers, programme or project managers, quality systems managers and customer service managers in the business process outsourcing sector.
In February this year, the department of home affairs updated the country’s critical skills list. The department publishes the lists to “assist government to realise the achievement of the national infrastructure project, the strategic infrastructure projects and key national strategic projects in support of the department of trade and industry”.
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George Asamani, business development lead at the Project Management Institute, said the list could also be used by young people and professionals to improve their professional paths.
Asamani told City Press that matriculants and young professionals need to benchmark themselves by looking at the skills they have and the skills they will need to future-proof themselves:
Soft skills are critical in the age of technology, he said.
“Because we have machines, high-tech computers and artificial intelligence that can do some of the jobs humans can do more efficiently, one needs to have the skills the machines, at least for now, do not have.
“Things such as emotional intelligence, communication, compassion, and empathy are more cherished right now.”
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For companies looking to plug the skills gaps, Asamani said organisations need to look at their teams the same way sports clubs look at athletes.
“You need to ensure that the striker has a striking capability, and the defender can defend. Players need to have different training regimes, depending on their position. You do not want to have a goalkeeper practising [taking] shots the entire day, you do not want the striking practising saving goals.
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“Companies need to take a step back and look at their teams and ensure that they have the necessary skills to do their job,” he adds.
South Africa is facing record levels of unemployment with the current official national rate standing at 34.5% but it also doesn’t have the right people with the right skills to help it overcome its challenges.
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