Skills-hungry world preys on developing countries

It is estimated that 39% of businesses around the world are struggling to recruit the right people and as many as 64% cite a lack of technical skills as the primary problem. That’s according to research conducted by Rose Luke and Gert Heyns of UJ, who say skills shortages are a global phenomenon. Nearly two in five businesses in the BRICS economies believe the inability to find the right workers will dampen growth in 2013. What is affecting the situation even more is that the developing world is facing its own skills issues and is increasingly looking to emerging markets for skills. “The implication for countries such as South Africa is that it will become increasingly difficult to retain our available skills, guaranteeing that the welldocumented brain drain continues unabated,” the survey points out. Researchers of the survey said while retaining skills was problematic, a greater concern was South Africa’s declining level of education. One of the most problematic factors for doing business in South Africa is a workforce without the adequate education – a basic requirement for global competitiveness is primary education. South Africa is ranked 132nd out of 144 countries in primary education. In higher education and training it scores only slightly higher and is ranked 84th out of 144. INSERT 84th SA's ranking out of 144 in higher education and training.