SKILLS DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING NEWS

Skills development worth the investment

 

In the realm of skills development, innovation leads to greater ROI, while the effective management of people impacts on the holistic performance of the organisation - offering elevated ROI in terms of productivity and profitability.

© Robert Churchill – 123RF.com

At the MGIP Conference - Skills Development Laws and Policies Updates, held in the final quarter of 2015, Gizelle McIntyre, director of The Institute of People Development (IPD), confirmed that skills development is an investment; one which offers both short term and long term benefits. With reference to Benjamin Franklin's wise words, 'An investment in knowledge pays the best interest', McIntyre encouraged organisations to develop their workforce in 2016. 

"Audit the employees' current level of skill, plan their development and invest in their skills now. By doing so, your organisation will hold a competitive edge. Yes, skills development takes some investment, but compared to the cost of unskilled labour, it is worth every penny." 

She confirmed that an audit allows for investigation into the organisation as a whole, providing valuable guidance for the development of a unique and targeted skills development strategy and a valuable opportunity to see what is really going on in the business. "The TV show 'Undercover Boss' gives an interesting slant on this, with the same or similar result at the end of each show; top management needs to listen to those on the floor!" 

Example of costs saving

McIntyre illustrated the point with the example of Joe, a fictitious, under-skilled operator that makes 10 mistakes a day, costing his employer R12,000 per month. "If the company was to conduct a skills audit for R3,000, an observation session of R500 and coaching of R1,500 to correct the mistakes identified, it has spent R5,000. Even if Joe continues to make a couple of mistakes a day, the company will have received full ROI within the first month and will save a hefty amount going forward." This is without even considering the positive motivation and engagement possibilities emanating from the exercise. 

At management level, there is no doubt that skilled managers will make - while unskilled managers will break - any team or organisation. "If management itself is hungry to learn, it will pass this learning culture on to its subordinates. As the workforce continues to grow and develop, employees will begin to think 'out of the box', while identifying further skills scarce areas." In addition, managers that are aware of the areas in which their staff both excel and lack are better equipped to intervene when necessary, avoiding costly mistakes or strategic errors. 

McIntyre confirmed that skills development should be applied to all aspects of the company, while fostering an atmosphere of continuous learning and professional development. She concluded with the notion that creativity is key to successful planning, development and ROI. "Designing new ideas allows for an entirely new playing field in the world of skills development. As Steve Jobs said, 'Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things'."

HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS

Last call for African Leadership Academy applications

 

Young leaders, aged 16 to 19 years from across Africa, are invited to submit their applications to participate in a unique curriculum at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) before 31 January 2016.

ALA identifies young leaders from across the continent with demonstrated leadership potential, a passion for Africa, an entrepreneurial spirit and a track record of community service and offers them a two-year pre-university programme.

The curriculum includes courses in Entrepreneurial Leadership, African Studies, Writing & Rhetoric and Cambridge A-Levels at its Johannesburg-based faculty. It offers a strong student-centred learning environment that provides young leaders with the knowledge and inspiration they need to develop as effective, positive-change agents on the African continent

For more information, go to www.africanleadershipacademy.org/apply.

Posted on 14 Jan 2016 16:02

HIGHER EDUCATION NEWS

MSC Business College offers 150 bursaries, valued R2.7 million

 

In 2016, the MSC Business College, with SABC Education, will be awarding 150 bursaries valued at R2.7 million, reflecting the commitment of both organisations to provide access to higher education to those that cannot afford it. Applications close at the end of January 2016.

© karen roach – 123RF.com

"We are excited by this partnership which is now in its second year. Fulfilling an integral part of our CSI initiative, providing students with bursaries is a great way of giving them the opportunity they need to empower themselves for the connected future, irrespective of industry," says Jared Louw, national marketing manager for MSC Business College.

"Education forms the foundation of people's future. By working closely with one of the leading educational institutions in South Africa, the SABC wants to illustrate the importance of education and giving back to the community," says Danie Swart, head of SABC Education.

The college, in operation for 25 years, has 18 campuses throughout South Africa. It offers diploma and certificate courses in human resources, marketing, IT support, business administration, travel and tourism, accounting and bookkeeping, public relations and project management. 

For more information, go to msccollege.co.za or complete the submission application herestudy.msccollege.co.za

BUSINESS NEWS

ANC using race to loot the country – Mashaba

By News24WireJanuary 19, 2016

The DA’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, Herman Mashaba, believes the ANC is using race to loot the country.

This was why he did not believe in race-based policies, he told News24. “I’m saying this whole thing is so divisive, I don’t really want to be party to this.

“I’m a South African, I’m a human being. We can’t address inequality in our country by dividing people along racial lines and reminding us all the time. I’m saying this is unacceptable.”

Mashaba said he did not look at race when he associated with people but rather chose to surround himself with like-minded people.

But he was not saying that race was not important, he clarified.

Don’t use my race to divide

Since Mashaba made similar comments on Saturday when he was announced as the Democratic Alliance’s candidate for mayor, he said the ANC was trying to create the impression that he did not want to be called black.

He said it was a shame that this was happening.

“I don’t want a government to use my race to divide me against other people. I don’t really want the government of the ANC to use race to loot this country.

“I’m saying let’s use redress in a constructive manner, in the process build society, build one united South Africa and no one will have any problem with that,” he said.

Asked whether he thought he would be isolating potential voters by his comments, Mashaba said no, claiming that the only people it isolated were those who benefited from such policies and that was the ANC.

He accused the party of using these policies to buy political patronage.

Not prepared to lie

“You can imagine that what I’m saying, wanting to have a broad base inclusion and really attending to the plight of the marginalised, [the] ANC would not like that because they want policies which benefit them and their cronies.

“There is nothing I can do about it and I’m not prepared to lie to our people [about the fact] that I’m not really happy with ANC policies,”  Mashaba said. It was not fair to articulate and promote a policy knowing that it was misleading people, he added.

Mashaba said under the DA and under his leadership in Johannesburg they would address the plight of poor South Africans, by growing the economy by making sure the country had an inclusive economy.

With a growing economy there would be no need for raced based policies because all South Africans would have equal opportunity. He believed the DA would grow the economy.

Crunch the real numbers

“When this economy grows at 5% there won’t be any issue of anyone asking why we only employ certain people because South Africans will all have an opportunity.

“At the end of the day we want to make sure that our people are not compromised, are not bought by political rhetoric because at the end of the day we will come out with a policy framework which is going to really work for poor South Africans as well and they don’t have to belong to us as a political party,” he said.

Mashaba asked that people do real number crunching and ask themselves whether South Africa had enough white people to fill all the good, senior positions in the country once the economy grew.

There were less than four million whites in South Africa, which was not enough to threaten the development of the country, he added. “We want our white South Africans to actually be part of this journey to ensure that they help in kick-starting that process.

“But we don’t want a situation where we want anyone to feel threatened. We need to embrace a situation where all South Africans are equal before the law,” Mashaba said.

BUSINESS NEWS

BEE must be part of the racial debate: Solidarity

By Staff WriterJanuary 12, 2016

 

Trade union Solidarity says that the ANC must acknowledge its own contribution to the racial tension in South Africa.

“Only then can a meaningful debate take place in South Africa about race,” it said.

The trade union said that the ANC’s pursuit of a non-racial South Africa President Jacob Zuma recently referred to, can only be realised if the party does away with its obsession with race-based legislation.

According to Solidarity deputy head Johan Kruger, the ANC’s policies on black economic empowerment (BEE) and affirmative action must form part of the debate if the ANC is in any way serious about creating a non-racial South Africa.

These form part of hundreds of laws introduced by the ruling party in 1994, that cement racial classification and racial quotas in nearly every sector of society, Solidarity said.

“We believe that the way in which affirmative action has been applied in South Africa for a long time is not in line with its original purpose. We are convinced that if government is really committed to stamp out racism, it would not hesitate to do away with policies that are based on race. Moreover, we would like to discuss alternatives to affirmative action with the ANC as part of such a debate,” Kruger said.

Kruger added that the ANC’s policy of race quotas cannot be defined as affirmative action but rather as a form of neo-racism.“

Worldwide, affirmative action is subject to a sunset clause. By applying affirmative action in terms of the national race demography – which changes constantly – the ANC ensures that affirmative action would never come to an end in South Africa. This is in itself discriminatory and also forms part of the complaint we brought before the United Nations about the South African government’s implementation of affirmative action,” Kruger said.

Kruger said that the ANC maintains double standards by committing itself to the elimination of discrimination, yet at the same time it enforces race legislation.

“What the ANC declares in public about race and racism is not consistent with what it applies in practice. In reality, this contributes to the problem of racial division in South Africa,” Solidarity said.

BUSINESS NEWS

Absa revolt as staff threaten to join Malema protest: report

By Staff WriterDecember 6, 2015

 

The Sunday Times has reported that Absa CEO, Maria Ramos has met with leaders of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), following threats by the political party to shut the bank down.

The EFF said last week that it has established a ‘special team’ that is working on the occupation of Absa branches across the country.

It said that Absa is specifically targeted because of its historical connection with the Broederbond.

“The occupation of Absa branches will begin in 2016 on a date not to be disclosed. The CIC (Commander in Chief) Julius Malema will personally be leading the occupation,” the EFF said in a statement.

Ramos met with EFF chairman Dali Mpofu, where “they begged him not to go ahead with the march,” The Sunday Times said, citing a senior Absa employee.

It was reported that Mpofu met with a small group of employees who are at the forefront of a revolt at the bank.

The paper, citing one of the leaders of the revolt, reported that more than 2,800 employees have signed a petition to join the march.

The EFF  said it is specifically targeting white monopoly capital institutions that have enjoyed protection of government. “When people are marching against white monopoly capital, government has always demonstrated its willingness to use violence to defend their interests,” it said.

“The EFF with the occupation of Absa branches is taking the fight to white capital. It is a struggle that is unstoppable. The EFF will not rest until the inequality gap is closed and wealth is shared among the people of this country.”

It said  that many other institutions will be identified for occupation following the the occupation of Absa.

The full article can be found in the December 6, 2015 edition of the Sunday Times.

BUSINESS NEWS

How many BEE millionaires are in South Africa

By Staff WriterMarch 12, 2015

 

A new report finds that there were 14,700 South African high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) from previously disadvantaged groups at the end of 2014.

This equates to 31% of the country’s total HNWI population, according to the 3^rd annual wealth report on South Africa, entitled the “South Africa 2015 Wealth Report”, published by New World Wealth.

A HNWI is person with wealth of US$1 million or more, whilst a multi-millionaire is an individual with wealth of at least US$10 million.

“Wealth” is defined as the net value of assets, which includes financial holdings, business interests and tangible assets. The only item excluded from NWW’s valuation is primary residences.

Out of a total 46,800 HNWIs in SA in 2014, 32,100 are white, representing 69%, while 9,800, are either Indian, Asian or coloured representing 21%, and 4,900, or 10%, are African.

“This is a relatively low percentage considering that these groups make up 90% of the national population,” NWW said.

However, a previous New World Wealth report showed that SA had 7,800 millionaires from previously disadvantaged groups in 2013 – equating to only 16% of South Africa’s total millionaire population.

This means that the number of millionaires from previously disadvantaged groups has also doubled between 2013 – 2014.

HNWI changes 2013 – 2014

Group	2013	2014	Change
White	40 900	32 100	-21.5%
Previously disadvantaged	7 800	14 700	88.5%
Total	48 700	46 800	-3.9%

HNWI demographic changes 2007 – 2014

Group	2007	2014	Change
White	36 900	32 100	-13%
Asian/Indian/Coloured	3 600	9 800	172%
African	2 300	4 900	113%
Total	42 800	46 800	9%

Between 2007, and 2014, the Indian/Asian population segment has seen 172%  growth in high-net-worth individuals, from 3,600, while the African segment grew 113%, from 2,300 HNWIs in 2007.

Interestingly, the number of white high-net-worth individuals has declined by 13% over the past seven years, from 36,900 in 2007, to 32,100 in 2014.

Overall the country has added 4,000 HNWIs over that time period.

BEE, or Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) is an initiative launched by the South African Government under the BEE Act to address the restrictions that exist within the country for black individuals to participate fairly in the economy.

Earlier in March, research found that black South Africans hold at least 23% of the Top 100 companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as at the end of 2013.

The shares held by black investors include 10% held directly (largely through BEE schemes) and 13% through mandated investment – mostly through individuals contributing to pension funds, unit trusts and life policies.

White South Africans hold approximately 22% of the Top 100 companies, while foreign investors hold about 39%, up from 34% in 2011.