SANParks approves polygraph testing policy
In its employment review for 2022, job portal CareerJunction notes that the local economy is facing a skills shortage across various sectors. Meanwhile, the Department of Employment and Labour announces that it will assist families of victims of an explosion that took place in Boksburg, Gauteng on Christmas Eve.
Making graduates future-fit
The Ford Motor Company of South Africa (FMCSA) recently produced 38 graduates who successfully completed its seven-month New Manager and Women in Leadership programmes.
The business-driven action learning programmes included one-on-one coaching and courses were all instructor-led, delivered live, online by 12 subject matter specialists.
“A key factor in this successful LandD programme is that from the outset, there was a strong alignment between the development objectives of the employee and the strategic objectives of the business, with a clear view of what the expected outcomes are for the individual and business in terms of impact, performance and growth,” said Dr Eric Albertini of the Future Fit Academy.
Department of Labour to help families of Boksburg explosion victims
The Department of Employment and Labour will assist family members of those who died in the Christmas Eve gas tanker explosion in Boksburg, Gauteng, according to Minister Thulas Nxesi.
The incident left at least 18 people dead, including nine healthcare workers stationed at the Tambo Memorial Hospital, which was affected by the explosion. Several others were left injured.
“We will ensure that the workers who lost their lives and those that got injured as well as their families are assisted where applicable through the department’s entities – the Compensation Fund (CF) as well as the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) – as prescribed by both the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) and Unemployment Insurance Act (UIF) Act respectively,” Nxesi said.
SANParks approves polygraph testing policy
The South African National Parks (SANParks) is developing a standard operating procedure for its recently approved polygraph testing policy, with the aim of ultimately making polygraph testing compulsory for certain job categories.
Although the current labour law environment and SANParks conditions of service disallow compulsory application of polygraph testing, the policy paves the way for negotiating a collective agreement to amend conditions of service to include compulsory polygraph testing as part of new employment contracts.
This is according to SANParks GM for media and stakeholder relations, Rey Thakhuli, who said the policy was approved by the SANParks Board during November 2022 and has subsequently been signed into effect by the acting chief executive officer.
He said the policy was developed after extensive consultation with relevant experts and consultation with organised labour.
Wide range of sectors hit by skills shortage
The country is experiencing a skills shortage across various sectors, with a specific need for skills in the IT and finance sector, according to CareerJunction,
The jobs portal’s employment review for 2022 shows that recruiters and HR specialists locally and abroad are facing difficulties filling vacancies in skilled positions, which has been amplified by the local ‘brain drain’ phenomenon.
The job sectors hit hardest by skills shortages are the information technology and finance sectors, but the shortages are being felt almost across the board, including in medical and health, marketing, design, media and arts, business and management, and engineering.
