Skills shortage remains a key concern

Skills shortages remain a critical issue in South Africa, according to the 2009 Supplychainforesight survey Launched in Johannesburg recently by Barloworld Logistics, which commissioned the research by Frost & Sullivan, the study found that many projects and sectors in the country were hampered by acute skills shortages. But, said Johan Dekker, divisional director: consulting and software, more and more companies, spurred on by the need to focus on their core business in the context of the economic downturn, were turning to more sophisticated outsource partnerships to help them add valuable skills to their operations. “In doing so they maintain their competitive advantage while focusing on their core competencies.”