Electricity and Control May 2021

RESKILLING, UPSKILLING + TRAINING

Building a skilled young workforce

Mamiki Matlawa, MD, Qunu Workforce

A ccording to Statistics South Africa, there is an alarming unemployment rate of 63.2% among the country’s youth – individuals between the ages of 15 and 24. As the emerging workforce, this age bracket of individuals find themselves in a difficult position, struggling to secure

Mutually beneficial arrangement Temporary employment solutions are not just for job seekers as these services can be of great benefit to businesses and various sectors currently faced with financial constraints. Many companies are hesitant to hire new people on a permanent basis because there’s still so much uncertainty about the future. We are unsure if work is going to be steady through winter, we’re unsure as to whether there will be another wave of Covid-19 infections. TES providers can bring job seekers and companies together in a way that is mutually beneficial: providing industries with flexible contract workers and a workforce cohort that can be increased or downscaled as operations demand; and affording the workers the opportunity to gain experience and learn new skills while earning an income. The bigger picture Given that not all university graduates are ready for the job market, we need to be realistic about the situation. At present, skills gained through experience are more urgent than formal qualifications. The private sector and TES providers need to work together in creating a skilled workforce moving forward. That gap between skills and opportunity needs to be tightened to balance the need of enhancing skills sets among the youth while combating the issues of unemployment. Companies approaching TES providers for assistance in meeting their labour requirements should be open to on-the-job training or skills development programmes so that young job seekers can continue to upskill themselves. Experience earned in entry-level jobs can later be used to unlock better employment opportunities, so it is important for youngsters to bear in mind that an entry-level job is better than no job. It is just as important for businesses to realise that it is not only about profitability and survival – they have a critical role to play in addressing the current challenges of unemployment in order to be part of the country’s economic recovery.

Mamiki Matlawa, MD of Qunu Workforce.

employment due to the economic downturn and their lack of experience. As the new academic year moves ahead, it is clear that not all matriculants have the means to embark on tertiary education. This has highlighted the urgent need for South Africa to establish a workforce that can gain skills and training without the prerequisite of a degree. Temporary Employment Service (TES) providers can have a significant impact here, as they are already positioned to provide valuable training and skills development to the youth, along with learnership placements. Emerging workforce struggles It is reported that some 2 million jobs were lost in 2020 after the nationwide economic shutdown. Seeking employment in the current economic environment with only a basic education and no tertiary qualifications or skills training can be tough. A two-fold solution Job seekers can no longer pick up a newspaper to find local vacancies and expect to be employed. Today, the youth need to be creative in their approach to the job market. With so many individuals actively seeking employment, it is important that they do everything they can to stand out from the rest. From the TES providers’ perspective, we need to shift our focus from qualifications to start looking at the individual – skills that can be taught, passion to work and enthusiasm to learn are what make a person stand out from the crowd with good potential to hire. As our country turns towards economic recovery in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is critical for the youth to take any opportunity to gain valuable work experience and to participate in diverse skills training and refinement programmes. As a starting point, TES is an ideal solution that can reduce the youth unemployment rate through placements, learnerships and skills programmes in the business services and technical sectors. Other industries that can benefit from TES by placing younger people in entry-level jobs include retail and e-commerce, engineering, construction, contact centres, telecoms, warehousing and logistics.

For more information visit: https://qunustaffing.co.za

28 Electricity + Control MAY 2021