Skills shortage can be fixed

Johannesburg, 20 Nov 2008

The ICT skills shortage in South Africa can be remedied, says Staffit. The recruitment company believes the industry and educational institutions should help to retain skilled employees.

More companies are approaching recruitment agencies for candidates that offer the necessary entrenched skills without the associated exorbitant salary packages, says Staffit.

This is just one of a number of challenges regarding the ICT skills shortage in SA, according to Staffit director Cassim Parak. Some of these challenges include the lack of IT promotion from universities and loyalty issues in organisations.

No preaching

Parak says there is not a lot of evangelism when it comes to ICT. “Students are being told there is a shortage of skills in these areas, but are not given enough information on a specific profession that will, in turn, enable them to make an educated decision. Education needs to address this issue."

ICT has lost the allure it had as a career in the 1990s, he adds. “Back then it was a new, fresh and happening place to be. However, a lot of people have in recent years realised it is a hard profession, with long, stressful hours.”

The problem is exacerbated because organisations want to employ people for at least 18 months, but employees are lured away by attractive salary packages or opportunities overseas, he says.

Cost of living

"The reality is with younger candidates - it is all about the money; today's high cost of living is also worsening the problem,” says Parak.

Companies should implement strategies to curb staff turnover, such as creating a working environment that forges loyalty, he says. This can be done by providing employees with the opportunity to grow in their respective positions, as well as facilitating flexible working hours.

The skills shortage can only be addressed by an all-out effort from all sectors, from education to the organisations themselves, he concludes.