Abstract:
Skills development and training is becoming an increasingly important concern in developing
countries. Not only can it impact local economic platforms, but it can also increase
international competitiveness, employment and prosperity. Disarticulations of public policy
can however undermine public sector delivery of skills development initiatives and opens up
opportunities for private provision to be, under certain circumstances, more responsive to
the challenges of skills shortages.
The purpose of this research is firstly to substantiate the need for a more active engagement
by the private sector in the development and training of technical skills. Subsequently, it
aims to identify the impacting factors that either promote or inhibit such engagement,
specifically within the construction and mining industries of Sub-Saharan Africa. In
identifying the most significant factors, a conceptual framework can be compiled and
recommended to facilitate a more sustainable approach to the implementation of in-house
initiatives, specifically within the private sector of these industries.
A descriptive quantitative research approach was implemented for this study. This was
facilitated through an online survey questionnaire distributed to a population comprising of
top, middle and junior management, as well as general employees, permanently employed
within the construction and mining industries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The research results revealed a definite lack of confidence in the public sector’s ability to
adequately provide technical skills within these industries, and thus within Sub-Saharan
Africa. This stresses the need for a more active participation by the private sector in
developing such technical skills. Further analysis also identified the critical inhibitors and
benefits associated with current private sector initiatives. It suggests that effective in-house
skills development and training initiatives within these industries can not only beneficially
impact companies, but also the socio-economic environment in which they operate.
Finally, the research concludes with the introduction of a conceptual framework targeting
three core areas as a base to implement skills on a sustainable platform within the private
sector. These include the concepts of benefits realisation, risk management and government
intervention.
