Skills-based hiring key to SA skills shortage, aligning with Gen Z - Anne Rutledge, Resourgenix

While South Africa grapples with high unemployment rates, a critical shortage of skilled professionals persists. The Department of Home Affairs’ critical skills list, released in October 2023, highlights the acute demand for business managers, project managers, customer service professionals, supply chain experts, and engineers. Traditionally, these roles have required formal degrees. Anne Rutledge, Executive Director of Talent Solutions at Resourgenix told Biznews in an interview that there is a global shift towards skills-based hiring and it is gaining traction in South Africa not only in the tech sector but also in finance, administrative, and entry-level positions.Rutledge explained that the move towards skill-based hiring is driven not only by the shortage of critical skills but also by a new generation of job seekers who may not wish to pursue traditional university education.Rutledge offered suggestions on how organisations can implement skills-based hiring practices to unlock untapped potential and stay attuned to the evolving workforce landscape.