Vocational skills are underrated
Namibia has been ranked one of the worst performing countries in the world when it comes to vocational and technical skills.
The country was ranked 80th on a global index of talent competitiveness, moving down four places since last year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia was ranked fifth in terms of talent competitiveness in this regard.
The fifth Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), produced by INSEAD Business School, benchmarks countries in terms of employment, education, immigration and a wide range of other factors.
Namibia received an overall score of 37 this year, dropping back from its previous score of 40.2.
The 2017-2018 report, which evaluates 119 countries, aims to provide decision-makers across business and government with the tools to drive talent competitiveness. It specifically suggests that by creating a truly diverse and inclusive corporate culture, companies can gain a competitive advantage that will enable them to not just better attract and retain talent, but create a high-performing workforce.
Ranging from collaboration within organisations and foreign direct investment to the gender pay gap, labour productivity and university rankings, these variables help determine a country's 'talent competitiveness' – the ability to attract, develop and retain skilled workers, thereby supporting productivity and prosperity.
The report also explores the role of diversity as a source for innovation and prosperity in labour markets, finding that countries with greater diversity and inclusion will be best placed to achieve the performance and agility required to innovate, and remain competitive in the fast paced and evolving global economy.
In the main categories Namibia was ranked 55th for enabling skill development, 31st for attracting skills, 78th for growing skills, 95th for retaining skills, 109th for vocational and technical training skills and 86th for global knowledge skills.
Namibia would do well to develop its vocational and technical sector, in particular with the dismal Grade 10 and 12 results. For the 2017 academic year, more than 18 000 children failed Grade 10 and 34.2% of the Grade 12s did not achieve access to university. Further to this, more than 18 000 students did not secure a spot to improve English results to ensure access to tertiary institutions. Here, vocational training is key.
According to the index, in sub-Saharan Africa four upper-middle-income countries dominated the five top places of the region. These were Mauritius (globally 46th), Botswana (62nd), South Africa (63rd), and Namibia (80th). The other country in the top five of the region is Rwanda (76th).
Switzerland, Singapore and the USA were ranked as the top three countries, while Yemen, Madagascar and Mozambique were ranked as the worst performers.
ELLANIE SMIT
The country was ranked 80th on a global index of talent competitiveness, moving down four places since last year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, Namibia was ranked fifth in terms of talent competitiveness in this regard.
The fifth Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI), produced by INSEAD Business School, benchmarks countries in terms of employment, education, immigration and a wide range of other factors.
Namibia received an overall score of 37 this year, dropping back from its previous score of 40.2.
The 2017-2018 report, which evaluates 119 countries, aims to provide decision-makers across business and government with the tools to drive talent competitiveness. It specifically suggests that by creating a truly diverse and inclusive corporate culture, companies can gain a competitive advantage that will enable them to not just better attract and retain talent, but create a high-performing workforce.
Ranging from collaboration within organisations and foreign direct investment to the gender pay gap, labour productivity and university rankings, these variables help determine a country's 'talent competitiveness' – the ability to attract, develop and retain skilled workers, thereby supporting productivity and prosperity.
The report also explores the role of diversity as a source for innovation and prosperity in labour markets, finding that countries with greater diversity and inclusion will be best placed to achieve the performance and agility required to innovate, and remain competitive in the fast paced and evolving global economy.
In the main categories Namibia was ranked 55th for enabling skill development, 31st for attracting skills, 78th for growing skills, 95th for retaining skills, 109th for vocational and technical training skills and 86th for global knowledge skills.
Namibia would do well to develop its vocational and technical sector, in particular with the dismal Grade 10 and 12 results. For the 2017 academic year, more than 18 000 children failed Grade 10 and 34.2% of the Grade 12s did not achieve access to university. Further to this, more than 18 000 students did not secure a spot to improve English results to ensure access to tertiary institutions. Here, vocational training is key.
According to the index, in sub-Saharan Africa four upper-middle-income countries dominated the five top places of the region. These were Mauritius (globally 46th), Botswana (62nd), South Africa (63rd), and Namibia (80th). The other country in the top five of the region is Rwanda (76th).
Switzerland, Singapore and the USA were ranked as the top three countries, while Yemen, Madagascar and Mozambique were ranked as the worst performers.
ELLANIE SMIT
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