Work ethics, low skills plague NHE
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
National Housing Enterprise (NHE) staff lack work ethic and although qualified for positions they occupy, a shortage of skills and competency prevails, a study has found.
The findings are contained in a report that was prepared by the Business and Entrepreneurship Training Centre, at the behest of the NHE board.
The findings are based on a survey among NHE staff who completed assessments.
Among the findings, NHE managers and key staff said they would not consider leaving the NHE because of the salaries they earn.
“When some managers and key staff indicated to the consultant that they ‘only come to NHE to study’ and some said ‘I don’t like to be here except for the money', then there is a serious problem of attitude at the NHE," the report noted.
The researchers recommended this problem "be addressed through effective leadership and management of performance".
In another instance, managers said NHE staff appeared competent, but only on paper.
“To sum this up, NHE staff appear to be competent on paper, but a combination of lack of practical skills on the job and a general poor work ethic exacerbated by a style of leadership renders the staff incompetent,” the report found.
Money talks
A manager at the enterprise admitted that money was the only reason he stayed at the NHE.
“One manager stated he only stays because of the salary, otherwise he does not want to work for the NHE. Another said people only come to the NHE to study and get a decent salary. Both behaviours are not good for effective performance,” the report warned.
Managers also pointed out the lack of training offered to staff members.
“It is therefore important for NHE to make job-skills-training a priority as a way of motivating staff and also grooming future potential. Many potential senior managers consistently argued that they were not receiving training which they consider critical for their future growth.”
Namibian Sun previously reported that NHE managers had sounded alarm bells about governance issues at the company.
From the lack of access to land and lack of audited financials being issued plus alleged governance flaws, they warned that the housing parastatal is facing a bleak future if the current challenges are not addressed swiftly.
WINDHOEK
National Housing Enterprise (NHE) staff lack work ethic and although qualified for positions they occupy, a shortage of skills and competency prevails, a study has found.
The findings are contained in a report that was prepared by the Business and Entrepreneurship Training Centre, at the behest of the NHE board.
The findings are based on a survey among NHE staff who completed assessments.
Among the findings, NHE managers and key staff said they would not consider leaving the NHE because of the salaries they earn.
“When some managers and key staff indicated to the consultant that they ‘only come to NHE to study’ and some said ‘I don’t like to be here except for the money', then there is a serious problem of attitude at the NHE," the report noted.
The researchers recommended this problem "be addressed through effective leadership and management of performance".
In another instance, managers said NHE staff appeared competent, but only on paper.
“To sum this up, NHE staff appear to be competent on paper, but a combination of lack of practical skills on the job and a general poor work ethic exacerbated by a style of leadership renders the staff incompetent,” the report found.
Money talks
A manager at the enterprise admitted that money was the only reason he stayed at the NHE.
“One manager stated he only stays because of the salary, otherwise he does not want to work for the NHE. Another said people only come to the NHE to study and get a decent salary. Both behaviours are not good for effective performance,” the report warned.
Managers also pointed out the lack of training offered to staff members.
“It is therefore important for NHE to make job-skills-training a priority as a way of motivating staff and also grooming future potential. Many potential senior managers consistently argued that they were not receiving training which they consider critical for their future growth.”
Namibian Sun previously reported that NHE managers had sounded alarm bells about governance issues at the company.
From the lack of access to land and lack of audited financials being issued plus alleged governance flaws, they warned that the housing parastatal is facing a bleak future if the current challenges are not addressed swiftly.
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