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Eskom on massive skills hunt
04/03/2008 17:59 - (SA)
Michael Hamlyn
Cape Town - At the present time, Eskom is advertising 848 positions in core, critical and scarce categories, according to a written reply given to a parliamentary question by Alec Erwin, the minister for public enterprises.
He told Manie van Dyk, the Democratic Alliance spokesperson, that Eskom's policy ensured that separation packages given in the past were not extended to scarce or critical skills categories like engineers, technicians and artisans.
"The issue of skills has been identified as a key challenge by Eskom," Erwin said. "For this reason it is a standing item at all board meetings."
But he assured his questioner that the skills shortage was in no way the cause of the present crisis in electricity supply. "The electricity shortage is as result of coal quality and quantity, maintenance scheduling and the price of electricity not reflecting its cost and thus leading to inefficient utilisation," Erwin said.
He also said the separation packages allowed for business efficiency while at the same time creating opportunities for employment equity.
Eskom has also developed a resourcing strategy that is anchored around a series of elements to address its future skills needs. These include attracting the right talent both locally and internationally, including a focus on bringing skilled professionals back into the country, and creating a learning environment. Eskom currently has over 5 000 learners in different stages in the pipeline.
The utility is also forming alliances, including partnering with
international engineering and project management firms, and encouraging multi-skilling of its work force. Strategies are being developed to develop and retain talent.
Major projects are contracted as turnkey projects to ensure that winning bidders bring in additional skills.
- I-Net Bridge
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