Skills shortage persists despite tighter economic climate

Government challenges are multiple but if there is one to which it should well and truly rise in 2009 it is coming up with initiatives to create more employment, says Lee Botti, an acknowledged placement expert for the logistics and travel sectors. “Lay-offs will increase in the New Year in all industries, affecting the lesser-skilled in particular,” is her grim prediction. Certainly on the incline globally is a trend toward employing people on project and temporary assignments rather than being stuck with a permanent staff payroll. As such work is usually of relatively short duration, perhaps a year or two at senior level. The drawback is less security than full-time employment. “Things have tightened up from an economic perspective in South Africa over the past few months but there is still an incredible skills shortage. People are leaving the country who need replacing – although it is quieter this time of year because of people hanging on for their December bonuses.” Botti, MD of Lee Botti & Associates, agrees there certainly is a place for older, experienced people who were laid off for one reason or another but still have a valuable contribution to make. She acknowledges, however, that companies tend to prefer taking on younger staff and growing them accordingly. The logistics and travel sectors have traditionally been fairly well represented by people of colour but that segment has grown, particularly since the advent of affirmative action, to include learners fresh out of school. While FTW celebrates its 35th anniversary, Lee Botti & Associates is not far off – 31 years old since formation in 1977. The company has maintained close and cordial ties with Now Media, parent of FTW, for all those years and continues to offer a professional placement service by a 21-member staff complement from its four branches nation-wide.