Focus on skills gaps, labour market mismatches

Dear Editor, Recent reflections on the Government’s initiative to set up a College focused on developing talent and competencies for the Public Service of Guyana reminded me of an article I read not so long ago titled: “Scouting for Talent” which appeared in the Spring edition of the periodical titled: “WORK” published by the CIPD. The article itself was based on the annual GTCI (Global Talent Competitiveness Index) scores which are measures of how countries grow, attract and retain talent. It also assesses their performance in developing vocational, technical and higher level skills as required by ‘knowledge workers’ in professional, managerial or leadership roles.

The key messages of the GTCI include the following:

* Organizations have to manage the implications of digital change and leaders must recognize that we are experiencing a profound transformation of society, careers, education and employment.

* Organizations have become flatter, more inter-connected and more focused on what people deliver rather than how and when they do it.

* Organizations also have to rethink their process-heavy approach to Human Resource Management and put more emphasis on helping individuals to help themselves

* Educational and employment policies must adapt to these transformational changes, to produce talent with both technical skills and the ability to collaborate with others, to foster a sense of personal vocation coupled with learning agility.

Having regard to the foregoing, it is my humble suggestion that our leaders must focus attention on the extent of the skills gaps and labour market mismatches in our country. Yours faithfully, Nowrang Persaud