Global Careers Company launches African Careers Survey

© Kurhan – 123RF.com

At the event, more than 200 CEOs and executives from leading global firms met to discuss and debate the findings as to how African employers can better appeal to the continent's professional talent.

With market growth outstripping the speed with which Africa has been able to combat its skills shortage particularly in leadership roles and scarce skill sets, employers continue to fight it out over the best talent. The study found significant difference in the key drivers influencing individuals within the African talent pool, compared to global figures.

New skills head top factors

Pay, job security and career advancement are the usual top factors for individuals when considering a new role across the globe according to previous Towers Watson research, however for the African workforce the opportunity to learn new skills and the ability to make an impact dominate.

Base pay is of particular interest, on a global level it is the top driver but for the African talent pool only 48% of respondents cited its critical importance, placing it as 11th most important factor to this group.

Yves Duhaldeborde, Director at Towers Watson comment, "This research adds a great deal to the debate on how we compensate workers in Africa. It's clear that unlike many developed economies, base pay isn't an important driver and employers need to look at how to incentivise their workforce through initiatives that encourage new skills and promote opportunities to make a difference to the organisation."

These findings are echoed across the African diaspora community, suggesting the important factors African employers must consider in order to attract individuals back to their country of birth once they have left to work overseas.

Rupert Adcock, MD of the Global Career Company, adds, "An increasing number of African employers are looking to the diaspora to help close the talent gap and provide a source of internationally experienced professionals. A key concern, alongside cultural fit is whether expectations of the diaspora particularly in terms of pay, benefits and speed of promotion, can be matched. However the research clearly shows that such factors are not of central importance to this group."

For more information, go to www.careersinafrica.com.