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Govt sees no skills in SA

Martin Czernowalow
By Martin Czernowalow, Contributor.
Johannesburg, 28 Feb 2006

Amid widespread outrage at government`s announcement that it plans to attract foreign ICT skills to the country, a state official denied SA possesses any of the sought-after skills. He also rejected any notion that certain race groups` chances of employment have been affected by affirmative action.

Home Affairs head of communications Nkosana Sibuyi reacted with surprise to claims by ITWeb readers - who say they possess what government describes as "critical" skills - that they struggle to find employment on the basis of race.

Government recently said it would open the way for 23 000 foreign applicants to compete with South Africans in 56 industry sectors, including ICT. In this sector, government seeks to attract 2 500 foreign applicants - 1 500 software developers and 1 000 silicon and microchip developers.

Sibuyi says the State identified the skills dearth during assessment conducted by the Departments of Trade and Industry, Home Affairs and Labour, before the proposal to import professionals was placed before Cabinet.

"Government some time ago took the decision that it needs to do certain things to grow the economy. A wide range of issues was considered, including what skills are currently available in the various industry sectors, what skills would be needed, as well as the country`s capacity to absorb additional skills," he comments.

Observations

Government "clusters" carried out the assessments, Sibuyi explains, made up of several State departments that drew on their individual experiences and work, as well as observations in their own areas.

"These inputs were then harmonised to establish the quotas of required skills," he notes.

Meanwhile, Sibuyi reacted with surprise to ITWeb readers` claims that the skills do exist in SA, but are not being exploited due to the country`s affirmative action policy. He did, however, admit that he had come across such "allegations" before.

"If these skills are available in the country, applicants must approach institutions and organisations for employment."

But when confronted with the question of affirmative action precluding some individuals from gaining employment in SA, Sibuyi steadfastly claimed he had "never heard of a person being turned down [for employment] because they are white".

"A company cannot turn down anyone because of colour. If this is happening, people must take action and approach such bodies as the Human Rights Commission or the Constitutional Court," he says.

Sibuyi was also adamant companies that adhere to the official affirmative action policy sometimes do not understand the laws and regulations.

"The laws are sometimes understood differently. Some companies voluntarily want to change their complexions, but in some cases do not understand what affirmative action tries to achieve. But I`m not aware of any discrimination."

Fact of life

However, Org Geldenhuys, Abacus Recruitment MD, disagrees.

"There are quite a few guys, especially whites, with senior-level skills who can`t find employment. There are also those who have left the country and can`t return because they can`t get jobs here. Affirmative action is a fact of life, especially among the big companies. So what government says is simply untrue."

Geldenhuys claims government may be misinformed about the skills levels in SA, as many locals who possess specialised skills often take any other job just to survive.

"Technically, these people are not unemployed, but they are not doing what they are qualified to do."

Jill Hamlyn, CEO of The People Business Group, says it is important to assess the immediate business needs and weigh this up against the time available to fill this skill.

"If there is an immediate skills need, it should be addressed promptly. Out of experience, I can say the best approach to take should one be required to import skills is to ensure the contract of employment for such imported candidates includes a strict measurement on the transfer of skills to resident South Africans," she says.

"This will address the immediate business requirement, as well as over time ensure the upliftment and empowerment of resident South Africans within the ICT field."

Related story:
Govt invites foreign applications for SA IT jobs

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