Kentz builds South Africa's workforce of tomorrow: Company teams up with government to overcome skill shortages

摘要

Purpose: This paper aims to consider how major international company Kentz Corporation is helping to overcome the shortage of skilled workers in the fast-growing South African construction and engineering industry by training people of its own. Design/methodology/approach: The paper examines the reasons for the training, the form it takes and the results it has achieved. Findings: The paper considers several training methods, both on- and off site, and looks at more innovative modes of training. It claims that companies can work with national governments to address skill shortages and can obtain competitive advantage and customer satisfaction as a result of investment and innovation in training initiatives. Practical implications: The paper explains that, to date, the Kentz scheme has enjoyed success in South Africa in providing tradespeople at all levels in the national construction and engineering industry. Social implications: The paper suggests that addressing training shortages provides benefits for organizations, individuals, families, regions and national economies. Originality/value: The paper illustrates how investment in training to combat skill shortages can increase an organization's competitive advantage.