Savant - Success story - IT Training: The People Business

Progress within the South African Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Electronics sectors is not dependent entirely on product development and advanced, leading-edge technology.

Companies rely heavily on the growth and development of an effective skills base in order to negotiate successfully the many obstacles that characterise this industrial landscape. Training, skills development and certification continue to remain issues of concern because they are directly related to business development, return on investment and total cost of ownership.

Advancement in technology is as much a people-driven process as it is a mechanical, product-orientated one. The onus is on companies to manage strategically intricate human dynamics, something that not all businesses are fully equipped to deal with. Companies look to partner with specialists in the field, those who are focused on this particular area of development and have a comprehensive service offering to help clients. This is how a company like The People Business continues to make an impression on the local business scene.

The People Business is a Human Resources Group of Companies specialising in the development and advancement of people. The Group encompasses a number of companies including:

* The People Business - Human Resource Consulting cc, * The People Business cc - Recruitment & Contracting, * The People Business - People Development cc, * The People Business cc - Executive Personal Coaching * The People Business cc - Executive Services.

Each one of these companies has as its core focus the provision of value added services that help clients in the area of staff retention. One of the main benefits is the considerable cost savings through the prevention of unnecessary attrition, as well as the improvement of managerial standards and levels of communication between organisations.

This rich level of experience and high standard of service has culminated in the company being awarded the CSA/ITA Service Quality Award and the "Impumelelo" Top 300 Black Empowerment Companies Certificate. This achievement is not only a testament to the group's standard of delivery, but also the level of value the company can bring to the Savant marketing initiative.

SAVANT - designed to be the vanguard of the local ICT and Electronics sectors - has identified IT training and certification as one of six primary areas that it aims to promote both locally and abroad. Training and certification, specifically within the technology environment, is directly related to the development of a healthy skills resource within South Africa. All stakeholders of the initiative believe in the fundamental importance of promoting the country's ability and technology acumen.

The IT sector is a vital source of employment throughout the world, but skilled labour in ICT remains in short supply in most countries. As an increasing number of students worldwide hone their skills in specialised sectors within the technology industry to take advantage of this shortfall, South African institutions are emerging as popular training choices.

The cost of studying in South Africa is low, compared with similar options in the rest of the world. The value of such an education cannot, however, be measured in monetary terms alone. Local institutions provide an outstanding level of training, along with internationally-recognised certificates that are particularly valued because South African tutors not only impart theoretical knowledge, but practical skills acquired in a world-class industry.

With its central theme of applied innovation, SAVANT is industry-led, government endorsed initiative designed as an effective portal through which South African business can attract foreign investment, boost local development and widen the scope for growth - both on a technological and human resource level.

Adrian Schofield, General Manager at The People Business and chairperson of the SAVANT executive committee, reaffirms the company's mission statement - "Our primary objective is to continue being a successful innovator in the fields of Training, Human Resources, Permanent Recruitment and Contracting, continuing to evolve and expand by welcoming challenges and exploring opportunities. We believe we have a direct role to play in helping to develop and nurture South Africa's future skills, and ensure that our human resource potential remains renowned on a global scale. The SAVANT initiative is reliant on the active participation of all stakeholders and it is interesting to note that training and certification has been identified as one of the key focal points. South Africa has a large role to play in this regard and companies have become more aware of the fact that people development is very much a part of corporate governance."

The People Business' commitment to total human resource management encompasses everything from motivation, management, employment and placement to training, individual coaching, empowerment, executive management service and consultation. There is also a strategic plan in place to ensure that the ends justify the means. The plan covers certain individual fundamentals including growth, fulfillment, passion, excellence, empathy and integrity.

"Our aims are to take advantage of opportunities that will help us grow, furthering our ability to give the finest services to our clients. We aspire to share information openly with our colleagues, giving and receiving support, so that we are empowered personally and professionally. Our core business involves the inspiration of individuals in order to bring their personal best to their careers and therefore enable companies to function at optimum levels. We apply a holistic approach to companies, recognising that each operates differently, using our experience and intuition to add value to people who add value. Our strategy is to align ourselves with companies who appreciate their employees as assets and to encourage this perspective to those who have not considered their employees in this light, " adds Schofield.

The People Business can provide value to the SAVANT initiative through its ability to be proactive, flexible and fast moving, credible providers of cost effective, global best practice solutions to people management, and full strategic business partners, playing a role in determining the long-term direction and plans for the business.