Top exporters grow staff by 13%

The finalists in the Western Cape Exporter of the Year award have collectively increased their full-time staff by 13% over the past two years with a similar increase in part-time jobs. Not an easy accomplishment in an economy that is shedding jobs, said Viola Manuel, executive director of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which has run the competition for the past 22 years. “What is even more encouraging is that the winner of the Exporter of the Year award, Dormac, has over 100 learnership positions within its organisation – exactly what our region and the country is looking for if we are to grow our skills base.” Manuel said the Cape Chamber of Commerce continued to see skills development as a key challenge. “While our unemployment figures remain alarming, we have a concomitant challenge of more than half a million vacant positions due to a lack of appropriate skills. “The conundrum is not unique to this country, but the time has come for business to sit up and take notice. Calling on Western Cape businesses to involve themselves with the activities and portfolio committees of the Chamber, Manuel said this was the first step to addressing some of the major challenges facing business today.