Competence SA’s Approach to Bridging the Talent Gap
Finding the right talent these days is tough. We’re living in a world where the need for specialised skills is growing faster than we can fill the gaps. If you’re an HR leader, recruiter, or anyone responsible for talent, you’re probably aware of this predicament. But here’s the thing: it’s not just about filling positions anymore. It’s about creating a strategy that attracts top talent and keeps them around long enough to make an impact.
In this article, we’ll talk about how we can bridge that gap and keep people engaged.
Why Is Talent So Hard to Find Right Now?
Talent shortages are not just a local issue but a global phenomenon. According to this BusinessTech article, in South Africa alone, the Critical Skills Visa program has brought in nearly 5,000 skilled workers since 2020. Over half of those skilled workers came from just two countries: Zimbabwe and India. It shows just how globally competitive the talent market is, with companies across industries like tech, healthcare, and renewable energy fighting for skilled professionals.
The country’s updated critical skills list, last revised in 2023, reflects the evolving needs of its economy, highlighting fields like software development and veterinary science. This influx of foreign workers demonstrates how reliant countries like South Africa are on importing talent to meet industry demands. However, with talent shortages persisting globally, you can’t depend solely on international recruitment. You need to adopt multifaceted strategies to develop, attract, and retain talent domestically as well.
What Critical Pain Points are Keeping CHROs Up at Night?
Let’s talk about the challenges HR leaders are facing. According to Gartner, 83% of HR leaders are struggling to find the right talent. That’s a huge number! The talent shortage has officially become the biggest threat to business growth. And with remote work, digital disruption, and employee expectations changing daily, how do you even begin to plan for future workforce needs?
The truth is, many HR teams are flying blind. Without strategic workforce planning, something 86% of HR leaders haven’t fully implemented, it’s nearly impossible to predict where the next gap will show up. Planning ahead might feel daunting, but it’s worth it.
Strategies for Bridging the Talent Gap
To bridge the talent gap, you need to adopt a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate and long-term needs. Here are some strategies that don’t just sound good in theory, but will actually help you to attract and retain top talent in a competitive market.
1. Think Ahead With Strategic Workforce Planning
To tackle the talent shortage, you’ve got to stop being reactive. Easier said than done, we know. However, strategic workforce planning is a crucial step towards bridging the talent gap. It’s all about looking ahead and identifying the skills your team will need, not just for today, but for tomorrow, too.
Technology plays a crucial role in effective workforce planning. Using advanced data analytics and AI-driven talent management tools can help you see the gaps and gain real-time insights into market trends. Which allows you to make data-driven decisions about recruitment, development, and talent allocation.
2. Embrace Talent Agility
The days of hiring someone for one job and keeping them there for 20 years are long gone. You’ve got to think more fluidly about your talent. How can you reskill your current employees or get them involved in projects that stretch their skills?
According to Gartner, talent agility is key to closing critical skills gaps. Talent agility means giving your people the chance to learn and grow so they stay engaged, challenged, and valuable to the company. It refers to an organisation’s ability to respond quickly to changing skill needs. This can be achieved through initiatives such as project-based learning, cross-functional teams, and mentorship programs.
At Competence SA, we’re big believers in this approach. We create development programs that are tailored to your industry, ensuring that your people have the skills they need to keep your business competitive.
3. Enhancing Employer Branding and Candidate Experience
We all know that employer branding is important. It can be a powerful tool for attracting skilled employees. But the way most companies are doing it? Outdated. According to Gartner, only 39% of recruiting executives believe their branding efforts are aligned with what candidates want.
Your company branding, when done right, can set you apart by communicating its values, culture, and growth opportunities in a way that resonates with potential hires.
But candidates today don’t just want to hear about how great your company is, they want to know what it’s really like to work there. They’re sceptical, and with 46% of candidates not trusting organisations during the hiring process, transparency is key.
So, what can you do? Be real. Show the day-to-day experiences of your employees, let them tell their stories, and focus on creating content that makes people feel connected to your company before they even apply. Make sure that there’s clear and personalised communication throughout the recruitment process and emphasise a focus on long-term career development.
4. Upskilling and Reskilling: Keep People Growing
Traditional training also doesn’t cut it anymore. The world is changing too fast. According to Gartner, only 33% of L&D staff believe their employees can actually apply the skills they’re learning quickly enough. That’s why you need an agile learning system that helps people upskill and reskill as fast as the market changes.
We’re here to help with that. At Competence SA, we’ve designed programs that ensure your team is always learning the latest skills they need. Whether it’s project-based learning, real-time feedback, or leadership development, we’ve got you covered.
Competence SA: Your Partner in Closing the Talent Gap
Finding the right people is hard, and keeping them is even harder. But that’s where we come in. At Competence SA, we’ve spent years perfecting our approach to recruitment, talent management, and organisational transformation consulting so you don’t have to go it alone. We’ve got the tools, expertise, and passion to help you fill those critical gaps.
We’re not just about finding warm bodies to fill roles; we’re about helping you build a workforce that’s ready to take on tomorrow’s challenges. From psychometric assessments to leadership development, we’ve got everything you need to keep your team at the top of their game.
Let’s Chat
So, what’s your biggest talent gap headache right now? Let’s talk about how we can solve it together. We’re here to help you bridge the talent gap, one step at a time.
Ready to get started?
Competence SA identifies, develops and enables potential through the provision of the following recruitment, talent management, and organisational transformation consulting services:
If you’d like to know how we raise the bar, visit www.competencesa.co.za.
Contact us at hello@competencesa.co.za or 082 853 7456
