Know how

As you may know, South Africa has been facing a major skills shortage over the last decade or more. As a human resource professional, you could familiarise yourself with the lists of Scarce Skills and Critical Skills to see where the needs are and how to address the issues more effectively. “Importing” scarce skills from other countries may seem like a good idea but it’s not beneficial in the long run. It is up to us as South Africans to take matters into our own hands and put employees on an NQF ladder of learning to ensure the future of our people.

Scarce Skills refer to the occupations in which there is a scarcity of qualified and experienced people, currently or anticipated in the future, either (a) because such skilled people are not available or (b) they are available but do not meet employment criteria.

The Top Ten Scarce Skills in South Africa:

(as found in the Government Gazette Nr 37678)

Electrical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

Quantity Surveyor

Programme/Project Manager

Finance Manager

Physical and Engineering Science Technicians

Industrial and Production Engineers

Electrician

Chemical Engineer

Critical Skills refer to particular capabilities needed within an occupation, for example, general management skills, communication and customer handling skills, teamwork skills, problem solving [cognitive skills], communication [e.g., language and literacy skills] and technology skills.

A Shortened List of some of the Critical Skills in South Africa:

(A comprehensive list can be found here)

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Scientist

Forestry Technician

Sheep Shearer

Architect

CISCO Solution Specialist

CISCO Engineers

Solutions Architects in Telecommunications and ICT

Integrated Developers (PHP, PERL, JAVA)

Network Analyst

Energy Engineer

Metallurgical Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Civil Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Medical Superintendant/Public Health Manager

Public Health Physician

General and Specialist Medical Practitioner

Hospital Pharmacist

Nursing Professionals

Environmental Engineers

Environmental Manager

Industrial Pharmacist

Aquatic Scientist

Animal Scientist

Land and Engineering Surveyors

Electronic Engineering Technician

Materials Engineering Technologist

Electrical Engineering Technician

Safety, Health, Environment and Quality Practitioner

Millwright

Boilermaker (For Strategic Infrastructure Projects)

Industrial Machinery Mechanic

Pipe Fitter

Double Coded Welder

Software Development Engineers and Managers

Systems Architects, Engineers and Managers

Foreign Language speakers for specialist language support and technical or sales support

Business Analyst

Quality Analyst

Feel free to  ‘Contact Us’ to get in touch with any questions you may have around scarce and critical skills and how to combat the problem effectively.

As I drove to work this morning, I heard a radio presenter pose a question that struck a chord: “What advice would you give to someone preparing for their high school exams?” It got me thinking—what advice would I give my younger self if I had the chance?

So here are some pieces of wisdom I’d like to pass on, whether you’re navigating exams, starting a career, or just figuring out this wild journey called life.

1. 1. Embrace Who You Are—Fully

It’s easy to wish you were different—taller, thinner, smarter, or more successful. But here’s what I wish I knew: You are perfect just as you are.

We often compare ourselves to others. What I didn’t realize then was that the people I admired were dealing with their own insecurities. So, instead of trying to “fit in,” I wish I had spent more time embracing who I was and valuing myself. Each of us brings something unique to the world, like different flowers in a garden. Without variety, the garden would lose its beauty.

So, take a deep breath and accept yourself, imperfections and all. That’s the foundation of true growth.

1. 2. Trust the Journey—You Are Never Alone

Life can be unpredictable. Some days, it feels like everything is going according to plan, and other days, you may wonder whether it will work out—whether you have what it takes to succeed. But here’s the thing: You are never alone.

Countless times, I have been disappointed, especially in business. I had great hopes for a breakthrough, a deal to materialize that would take the company to the next level. Sometimes I could not see any light at the end of the tunnel when I doubted my abilities, choices, and future. But looking back now, I know it was the push I needed to find a better path. Whether you call it fate, the universe, or divine guidance, there’s a greater force guiding your path. Even when things go wrong—and trust me, they will—there’s often a reason, even if you can’t see it immediately.

Over time, you’ll realize that setbacks often carry the most profound lessons. And even when they don’t seem to, it’s okay. Keep going and trust the process—life has a way of working things out.

1. 3. Find Your Purpose—Dream

We all have been put on this earth for a purpose. That purpose is different for each of us; it will constantly change and evolve as you go through life.

Fundamentally, I believe that each of us desires to be valued, to be of use, and to make a difference. You can do this in many ways, whether you work in a call center or are a parent or an executive. Irrespective of your occupation, you can be of value to others.

Secondly, I feel there is a desire for growth in all of us—to earn more, to learn more, or to find deeper meaning. Take time to rest, but then keep on moving and searching.

The important part is this: always have something you’re working toward. A dream or goal will keep you energized, motivated, and ready to take on the day. Whether personal or professional, ensure you have a vision that excites you.

1. 4. Don’t Let Fear Call the Shots

Fear has an uncanny ability to creep up on you and prevent you from pursuing your dreams. It will make you question yourself and your abilities. My advice? Don’t let fear hold you back.

Whenever fear tells you that you’re not good enough, that you won’t succeed, or that you should give up, remember this: you are capable of overcoming whatever obstacles lie ahead. Numerous times, I froze when great opportunities knocked on my door. If you’re not careful, you won’t notice fear settling in until you are in its stranglehold. Look out for it, and when you sense it, remind yourself that you are not alone. The universe, with all its power, is on your side. When fear knocks at the door, answer confidently, knowing you’ve got what it takes to succeed.

1. 5. Love What You Do—Even When It’s Hard

The opposite of fear is love—love for what you do. Find love for the journey. Whether you’re pursuing a career, a project, or nurturing relationships, make sure there’s joy in the process. And when times get tough—and they will—remember why you started. Passion fuels resilience, and that resilience will carry you through even the most challenging moments.

When you have a dream, you’ll face challenges. You cannot avoid stressful circumstances, but you can choose how to respond. Rather than avoiding obstacles, accept them and welcome the pain instead of fighting it. These bumps on the road are there to teach you, help you grow stronger, and sharpen your skills.

For every two steps forward, you will be thrown back one. I often wished I could quit, disappear into the earth, to find some relief, but I have managed to stay the course. Not giving up is probably the biggest difference between those who win and those who lose.

1. 6. Practice Delayed Gratification—The Best Is Yet to Come

I still hear my mother’s voice reminding me to eat my vegetables before dessert. As much as I didn’t want to listen to it back then, it’s a metaphor for life. Success often requires patience.

There will be times when the excitement fades, and progress feels much too slow. During these moments, dig deep and keep pushing forward. The more you persevere, the more satisfying the rewards will be when they come. It’s tempting to look for shortcuts, but lasting success comes from hard work and dedication. Remember, the sweetest victories come to those who wait.

1. 7. Accept What Is

We all have ideas about how life should go and how people should behave. When things don’t match our expectations, it’s easy to get upset. Some feel hopeless or anxious—I tend to get angry. I’m still learning this lesson, but I’ve realized that judging less and accepting more is critical.

When we judge, we try to force others to fit into our mold. But because we’re all unique, this often leads to frustration. I’ve felt this, especially with my partner. I used to expect her to be who I wanted her to be, but I’ve come to understand that she is her own person, and if I truly love her, I must accept her as she is.

My advice is this: Don’t try to change your partner. Change yourself—change how you think and react. This applies not just to relationships but to all people—accept them as they are.

The same goes for life’s events. Things won’t always go your way. You can feel overwhelmed, or you can accept what is and trust the process. Spiritually, this is called surrender—having faith that a higher power is guiding you. Behind every cloud, the sun is still shining. Trust that everything will work out. That faith will give you strength, hope, and patience when life gets tough.

To anyone reading this—whether you’re studying for exams, stepping into a new chapter of life, or just trying to find your way—these lessons are my gift to you. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Accept yourself, trust your journey, face your fears, pursue your dreams, work hard, and accept. You’ve got this.

What advice would you give to your younger self? I invite you to reflect on your journey and share the wisdom you’ve gained along the way. You never know who might need to hear it.

Wishing you all the success and happiness in the world.

May your journey be blessed

Author : Stefan Lauber 2024

In today’s business landscape, the role of a CEO has evolved. While traditional skills like financial acumen remain crucial, softer skills—especially vulnerability—have become essential for building trust and genuine connections.

A key takeaway from The Journey of Leadership: How CEOs Learn to Lead from the Inside Out is that showing vulnerability can amplify a leader’s impact. By shifting from a “to-do” mindset to a “to-be” mindset, leaders can focus on who they are and how they want to engage with others authentically. Vulnerability fosters openness and builds trust, which are critical in today’s workforce.

Leading by example, like Mastercard Foundation CEO Reeta Roy, involves admitting mistakes and prioritizing transparency. This approach not only strengthens teams but also enhances leaders’ effectiveness. As former Novartis CEO Dan Vasella notes, authenticity commands respect. Embracing vulnerability doesn’t mean abandoning decisiveness—it’s about balancing strength with empathy.

Sourced from McKinsey’s insights on leadership.

A Balanced Approach

With the rise of generative AI, many wonder: if AI can write so well, why should we still invest time in developing our own writing skills? Are we at risk of losing the art of writing as we increasingly rely on AI tools? While these concerns are valid, my experience has shown that using AI can enhance—rather than replace—our writing abilities.

Balancing AI with Human Creativity

There are two key approaches I take when writing with AI. The first is to cast a wide net, scanning existing ideas and content—a bit like conducting a literature review but with AI’s speed and breadth. This allows me to explore a vast range of perspectives, deepening my understanding of the topic and refining my own thoughts. For example, when writing about AI in education, I use AI to comb through reports, studies, and expert opinions, collecting valuable insights that help shape my perspective.

The second approach is to brain dump—that is, sharing my raw thoughts and ideas with the AI tool. This helps me get everything onto the page without overthinking. Once those thoughts are down, AI steps in to help me organize and refine the structure, ensuring clarity. This method works particularly well when I already have strong opinions or a clear direction but need help refining the flow of my argument.

Together, these approaches create a powerful feedback loop. While AI assists in organizing and polishing, it’s my own creativity and critical thinking that drive the process.

Addressing Concerns: Are We Losing Writing Skills?

A common critique of AI in writing is that it might cause people to lose their writing skills. As we rely more on AI, some argue, we risk becoming passive participants, letting the tool do most of the work. This concern is valid, particularly in education, where over-reliance on AI could lead to disengagement from the writing process.

However, my experience suggests the opposite. By using AI as a tool for feedback, I’ve been able to enhance my writing skills rather than lose them. For instance, when I’ve asked AI to improve the structure of my writing, I’ve seen how certain paragraphs can be better organized. This process of iteration and learning has helped me become more aware of how to strengthen my own arguments and refine my style. I engage deeply with the content by reviewing AI-generated drafts, checking for congruence in the argument, and making personal adjustments where necessary.

While AI helps with organization and clarity, creativity, critical thinking, and personal voice remain in my hands. It’s not about replacing the creative process—it’s about enhancing it. AI allows me to focus on higher-level thinking, such as developing arguments and insights, while it handles the technicalities of writing.

How AI Helps Develop Writing Skills

After developing a rough draft, I refine it with AI. Once I receive the AI-revised draft, I don’t stop there. I go through the text carefully, ensuring the argument flows logically and aligns with my original thoughts. After this step, I resubmit the draft to the AI, asking it to rate the text on a scale of 1-100. This feedback mechanism gives me a benchmark for improvement, showing me how to organize my ideas better, refine my style, and enhance my vocabulary.

Here’s an example of how this works: I recently drafted a piece on the impact of AI in the workplace. My initial draft was disorganized, with sections of the argument scattered across different paragraphs. When I ran it through AI for a first pass, the tool suggested a clearer structure by grouping similar ideas together. I reviewed these changes and adjusted them to ensure they reflected my original intent. The final result was a much more cohesive and compelling argument than I had started with.

This iterative approach is not commonly used. Most people use AI for one-off editing, but I’ve found that by working with AI in a multi-round feedback loop, I’ve become more aware of how to improve my writing. The process not only helps me refine each piece of work but also strengthens my ability to organize thoughts and express myself more clearly.

A Hybrid Approach to Writing

While many experts fear that AI might diminish writing skills, I believe that when used correctly, AI can do the opposite—it can make us better writers. In fact, my process is an example of how AI can assist, without replacing, human creativity and original thinking.

Where most people use AI to assist with mechanical aspects like grammar or tone, I integrate AI into every stage of the writing process. I start by gathering ideas (casting a wide net), move to brain dumping my own thoughts, and then use AI to refine, rate, and improve the draft. This allows for a comprehensive refinement of both the content and style, with me remaining in control of the overall voice and message.

Additionally, I upload my revised drafts to a secondary AI tool, seeking fresh insights on how to further polish the work. After that, I go through the document again, ensuring that it reflects my own thinking and writing style. This careful blend of AI feedback and human editing ensures that the final result is not just technically proficient but also aligned with my personal voice.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write Effectively with Generative AI

If you’re looking to improve your writing while working with AI tools, follow these steps to get the best results:

1. 1. Choose Your Approach: Cast a Wide Net or Brain Dump

• • Cast a Wide Net: Start by scanning for ideas and content on your topic, much like a literature review. Use AI to gather diverse perspectives and spot trends or gaps in knowledge.
  • Brain Dump: Alternatively, if you have a clear idea in mind, share your raw thoughts with AI. Let it help you organize and refine your initial thinking.

1. 2. Write a Rough First Draft

• • After gathering your thoughts, write a rough draft of your content. Don’t aim for perfection—focus on getting your ideas down on paper.

1. 3. Let AI Refine the Draft

• • Feed your rough draft into the AI tool. Let it polish the text by improving clarity, grammar, and structure. The AI will help organize your ideas and enhance the flow of your writing.

1. 4. Review the AI-Enhanced Draft

• • Carefully go over the AI-revised draft. Ensure the congruence of your argument, and check if the structure still aligns with your original ideas.
  • Make necessary changes to reflect your voice and choose your own words where needed.

1. 5. Resubmit the Draft for Additional Refinement

• • Once you’ve made adjustments, resubmit the draft to the AI tool for another round of refinement. Ask the AI to rate the text on a scale of 1-100, providing feedback on how to improve further.

1. 6. Upload the Draft to a Second AI Tool (Optional)

• • For a fresh perspective, upload your revised draft to another AI tool for additional insights and improvement. This can provide new ideas on how to enhance clarity, structure, or style.

1. 7. Finalize Your Text

• • Review the final draft one last time. Ensure the output reflects your thinking, voice, and style.
  • Make any final edits to ensure the content is well-organized, thoughtful, and aligned with your original intent.

1. 8. Learn from AI Feedback

• • Use AI feedback to improve your writing skills. Pay attention to how AI refines your work—whether it’s the way it organizes ideas, enhances vocabulary, or adjusts tone—and apply those lessons to future writing projects.

Conclusion: A New Paradigm for Writing

Writing in the age of AI isn’t about choosing between human creativity and machine efficiency—it’s about blending the two. By using AI for feedback, revision, and even scoring, I’ve been able to sharpen my skills, organize my thoughts more effectively, and maintain my unique voice.

AI won’t replace the human touch in writing. Still, it can help us become better writers, allowing us to focus on what matters: creativity, insight, and the ability to communicate ideas effectively. By adopting a hybrid approach to writing with AI, we can enhance our craft and thrive in the age of generative technology.

Author: Stefan Lauber 2024

Over the past five years, HR teams have faced extraordinary stress from rapid organizational and strategic shifts. With challenges like the “Great Resignation,” remote work adjustments, and geopolitical instability, HR has shouldered a heavy burden—often with little relief.

HR leaders, as discussed on McKinsey Talks Talent, feel the tension of balancing employee care with organizational interests. Wendy Miller, Bryan Hancock, and Brooke Weddle highlight that HR often operates in “friction,” tasked with executing decisions rather than shaping them. This gap can leave HR feeling sidelined, even in vital company shifts.

Article sourced from : Mckinsey Talks