Whilst self actualisation may be the hardest task one faces, it is not always up to you. Finding the right people at the right time will be key to your success. South Africa has a massive population many of whom are under the age of 35.
Having a large effective workforce is of exceptional importance. However a sizable unskilled workforce is as detrimental to growth as a minute working community. There is a general consensus among people that education is going to be the driving power that is needed to stimulate the job climate. I agree with the principle that education is a crucial component to creating a successful economy, but with the world's job landscape moving in a unique direction I believe that it a necessity to apply new foundations to the way in which we are educating anyone in a learning facility.
As businesses with archaic and sometimes rigid processes in place buckle under new conditions that we work in the requirements for future employee's change. In this hyper connected age new industries have arisen that were not in existence 20 years ago.
So why are we applying methods from 20 years ago to equipping young people to work in such a competitive day and age? I believe that education worldwide was set up for the industrial era. No provision was made for this rate of change. As the past decade has shown with the introduction of new technology in a working environment many business processes can be automated. Where does this leave the education and employment of young people?
Without embracing the requirements for the change we are experiencing we cannot move forward at the pace that is necessary. This concept is not native to South Africa. Worldwide companies, schools and professional development organisations are having to change the way in which they educate and employ people.
SMMEs contribute 45% to the GPD in South Africa and just over 50% of the job opportunities. An important factor to note here is that SMMEs don't have the luxury of extensive budgets and training facilities. Their success relies on their ability to adapt fast enough to the change in their environment.
This is of tremendous significance specifically when educating people. At school level we should be identifying new markets that are being created and methods in which one can adapt and take advantage of the opportunity.
Currently this is not being achieved at the necessary level to sustain a functional economy of the future. If companies are to survive corporate or not, the people they employ will need to be sufficiently educated to accommodate for the new wave of change.
I have witnessed in my own businesses and in the start ups that I have created that the people you have around you will make or break your business. Moreover, I have found that within a team the more relevantly equipped entrepreneurs that are present the higher the chance success for the company.
We need to accept that educating our youth is not good enough. We need to showcasing the industries of the future and cultivate a conducive environment in which entrepreneurs and "intrapreneurs" can thrive. Once this has been accomplished the level of unemployment will decrease and the employment uncertainty that graduates face at the moment will be reduced.
In summary whilst we do create our own future we also rely heavily on the people around us to make it happen. If we are able to provide more people with more relevant knowledge the chances of our combined success will be far higher.
That is what I envision to be the future of both corporate and SMME business. And that is why I have created an education platform that not only teaches what is required now, but provides a more holistic education experience which combines current knowledge with forward thinking.
For more information on Courtney Bentley and related projects please visit:
Google plus
LinkedIn
