Key Global Evidence: Workforce Requirements
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Workforce Requirements addresses the need for greater interaction between the business and educational sector towards communicating the required qualities and attributes of potential employees.
Amplifying The Employer's Voice
There seems to be general scepticism from business leaders towards the nature and level of their involvement in professional education strategy. In some cases, there are simply no mechanisms to facilitate this interaction. In others, the structures are seen as cumbersome, irrelevant or ineffective.
It is clear that industry should have the means to articulate what it needs and then contribute to the design of a solution. Improvements should be driven by policy and include initiatives that generate impact across the board. Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) in South Africa are a valid example here.
If governments and policy makers can provide the political and economic support for initiatives, businesses certainly seem positive about contributing. Moreover, those who manage this process most effectively will see the long-term benefits of having a policy driven by real needs.
A Difficulty In Defining Valued Qualities
Businesses can run into significant problems when communicating their needs. Some are ill-equipped to identify skills gaps and find it challenging to develop requirements into a coherent vision. Additionally,there needs to be more links between employers, government and educators, and these links should be more effective.
Without a clear exposition of the qualities businesses are looking for, education will always fail to meet demand. In addition, learners will continue to find it difficult to make informed educational choices.
