MINISTER of Skills Audit and Development Jenfan Muswere has challenged Human Resources (HR) practitioners to play a leading role in turning Zimbabwe’s brain drain into “brain gain” amid growing migration of skilled workers to the diaspora.
Speaking during the International HR Day commemorations held at the Golden Palm Boutique Hotel yesterday, Muswere said the country’s economic transformation depended on how effectively it manages and develops its human capital.
The commemorations were organised by Third Eye Africa Consulting Group Zimbabwe in partnership with Lowveld Events and the Institute of Change Management Zimbabwe.
Held under the global theme “Empower people to lead change” and the local sub-theme “The architecture of new work,” the event brought together human resources professionals and industry leaders to discuss the future of work and skills development.
Muswere said the widening skills gap across industries should push the country to rethink its approach to human capital development.
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“The skills gap that exists across all industries is what we should focus on and try to turn brain drain into brain gain.”
“But this requires a lot in terms of our focus, in terms of our vision as a people. For what defines the success of a nation is its people,” he said.
Muswere also said the management of human resources was central to economic growth, production and trade.
“What defines what we can produce, what we import, what we export, is centrally around how we manage our human resources.”
The minister said government was transforming the country’s education system from a supply-driven model to a demand-driven one through heritage-based education.
“We are transforming our educational system from a supply-driven education model into a demand-driven educational model. This is precisely why we now have heritage-based education, focusing on ensuring that skill development is aligned to natural resources,” he said.
Muswere further urged HR practitioners to take a leading role in transforming industries.
“So it is incumbent upon human resources practitioners to help to transform the economies, to help to transform socially, economically, all industries, as we journey towards an upper-middle-income society,” he said.
Speaking at the same event Emmanuel Zvada, Managing Consulting Partner of Third Eye Africa Consulting Group and a Global Human Capital expert, noted that the day was important for HR practitioners as they get a chance to discuss key issues and celebrate their commitment.
“HR professionals are the lifeblood of every successful organization and deserve to be honored. Often, they do not receive applause because no one claps on their behalf,” he said.
Zvada also urged HR practitioners to learn new skills as technology advances.
“We really need to reskill ourselves. If we are not careful, some of our jobs will be taken by those that have artificial intelligence (AI) skills.”
“Some of the things can be done even using AI. So we need those skills so that we are there forever,” he said.