Our belief at Heran Group is that Africa has every opportunity to become economically sustainable. All it takes is everyone working together to transform our economies – from CEOs to laborers and teachers to everyday members of society.
At the very foundation of this transformation is talent – our people – and the need for impactful employment. This is near and dear to us at Heran Group, where we work to create meaningful employment opportunities in sectors like general trading, manufacturing and infrastructure development.
Everything we do is for the benefit of local communities and the people who reside in them, and we firmly believe in putting the right processes in place for long-term career development.
Importance of education
Before we can talk about retention and longevity, it is paramount that we address the education of our youth. The current skills shortage across our continent is in large part due to the lack of access to quality education. It is noted that, in Africa, nearly a quarter of the children enrolled at the primary level do not complete their education, and less than 50% complete lower secondary education. As such, the majority of young people entering the workforce do so without the skill sets needed to succeed long-term.
This should serve as a call for improvement to lift Africans up so they are in a prime position to achieve economic stability. Through education and ongoing training, we are able to create more meaningful jobs that entice skilled workers to stay and contribute to our local economies.
First comes education, then impactful employment
Operating across sectors and countries offers us the ability to give young people more job opportunities. It’s an investment we continue to make at Heran Group, especially through our manufacturing and trade-related projects. We are headquartered in Dubai and are active in South Sudan, Kenya and Angola, employing and helping more than 500 people reach their dreams.
We are fortunate to have the ability to operate across borders, but for those who aren’t able to do the same, there are other ways to create meaningful employment opportunities. One way is to simultaneously invest in human capital and innovation. However, companies are encouraged to find the right balance. While technology is the way of the future, without the right people to complement what technology can bring to the table, it’s all for naught.
Just as primary education is critical to long-term success, so too is ongoing training – especially when technology is involved. Training and development will help to ensure companies are maximizing their investment in technology, but it will also motivate employees by helping them realize that they are part of something bigger – something that has the transformative power to truly make an impact.
When it comes to retaining a skilled workforce, motivation plays a big role. There are a few ways that companies can ensure their talent remains motivated, committed, and happy. These include:
– Offering flexible work arrangements
– Designing jobs that play to employees’ strengths
– Investing in employee well-being
– Keeping lines of communication open
In addition, especially when dealing with technology, it is important to involve employees in broader conversations regarding how technology is fueling productivity. Measuring impact by consulting with those who have first-hand experience ensures employees feel heard, and again, part of something bigger.
Creating meaningful employment is all about making a difference and setting young Africans up for success. By doing so, we all have an opportunity to strengthen our local economies and directly benefit local communities. Who’s with us?