NEC XON fills the IT Human Capital Gap

By Stephan Ras, Executive: Managed Services and Consulting at NEC XON Systems

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As a business owner or manager, you know the importance of having a skilled and reliable workforce. I can relate to your pain. In today’s constantly changing employment landscape, finding and retaining top-tier talent can be a huge challenge. The ICT sector, in particular, has been characterised by continuous turnover and churn, and the challenge is set to grow in the post-COVID-19 era.

According to the “State of ICT Skills in South Africa 2021” report by the Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA), there is a significant skills gap in the country’s ICT sector. The report concluded that:

• South Africa has a significant shortage of ICT skills, with an estimated 40,000 unfilled vacancies in the sector.
• The skills shortage is most acute in the areas of software development, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud computing.
• The shortage of skills is leading to significant productivity losses, with companies struggling to implement new technologies and systems due to a lack of qualified workers.
• Despite the high levels of unemployment in the country, many ICT companies are struggling to find suitable candidates to fill vacancies.
• The skills shortage is exacerbated by a lack of investment in training and education in the ICT sector, as well as skilled workers leaving the country for opportunities abroad.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the importance of ICT skills, with many businesses and industries relying heavily on technology to continue operations during lockdowns.

Overall, the ITA report emphasises the urgent need for increased investment in training and education in the ICT sector to address the skills gap and boost economic growth. Fortunately, NEC XON has launched a new Human Capital business unit, which offers a range of workforce management and contract resourcing solutions to meet the critical staffing needs of South African businesses.

Traditional sourcing methods like using web portals have become less effective, and the emergence of social media has changed the sourcing landscape forever. At the same time, the workforce has also evolved, with different values and demands regarding work-life balance. Smart resourcing has become the new normal, and NEC XON’s Human Capital team is well equipped to help IT executives find the right talent to achieve their business objectives.

What sets NEC XON’s Human Capital business unit apart is the personalised approach to each client engagement. The team works closely with IT executives to understand their specific skills requirements and sources the right talent to meet those needs. With a deep understanding of the talent landscape across various industries and roles, the team delivers tailored staffing solutions that align with each client’s unique needs.
In addition to recruitment services, NEC XON’s Human Capital business unit also offers workforce management solutions to help IT executives optimise their staffing operations. These solutions include workforce planning, scheduling, performance management, compliance and risk management. By leveraging Human Capital’s expertise in workforce management, IT executives can streamline their staffing processes, reduce costs and improve efficiency.

NEC XON Human Capital’s track record is testament to our understanding of the past and current ICT employment landscape, and we are well-poised to meet the future challenges of this highly competitive market. As an IT executive or business owner, partnering with NEC XON’s Human Capital business unit provides a valuable resource to address your critical skilled contract resourcing needs. Contact us for more information about how NEC XON can help your organisation achieve its staffing goals and drive business success.