Bridging skills demand and supply in South Africa: the role of public and private intermediaries

Petersen, Il-Haam; Kruss, Glenda; McGrath, Simon; Gastrow, Michael

Abstract

Demand-led skills development requires linkages and coordination between firms and education and training organisations, which are major challenges considering that each represents a ‘self-interested’ entity. The need for a ‘collaborative project’ involving government, firms, universities and colleges, and other bodies is thus increasingly recognised. However, the crucial role of intermediaries has been largely overlooked. The article addresses this gap by investigating the main roles of public and private intermediaries across three case studies: sugarcane growing and milling, automotive component manufacturing, and the Square Kilometre Array sectoral systems of innovation. The research highlights the need for a move towards systemic thinking, to bridge across public and private objectives. It shows that private intermediaries play a larger role than is recognised in policy; that public–private intermediaries play crucial roles in coordination; and the potential for public intermediaries to contribute more effectively to systemic functioning.

Citation

Petersen, I., Kruss, G., McGrath, S., & Gastrow, M. (in press). Bridging skills demand and supply in South Africa: the role of public and private intermediaries. Development Southern Africa, 33(3), https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2016.1156518

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 29, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 21, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 23, 2016
• Journal: Development Southern Africa
• Print ISSN: 0376-835X
• Electronic ISSN: 1470-3637
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 33
• Issue: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2016.1156518
• Keywords: Sectoral intermediaries, skills development, South Africa, sugarcane growing and milling, Square Kilometre Array, automotive components manufacturing
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/794162
• Publisher URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0376835X.2016.1156518
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in development Southern Africa on 21 June 2016, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/0376835X.2016.1156518