The value of investing in continual learning and

development

Andre Viviers

Globally 40% of employers reported having problems filling positions in 2016

Source: Manpower Group – 2016/2017 talent shortage survey

Globally the hardest skills to find…

Source: Manpower Group – 2016/2017 talent shortage survey

Why is it hard to fill positions?

Lack of skills was highlighted as a concern by CIO’s in 2016/17

Source: ITWeb – CIO 2016/17 CIO survey – executive summary

South African IT skills needs- Now- Next year

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

Further exacerbated by factors such as…

• Looking to recruit talent from oversees.

• Outsourcing skills rather than appointing in-house.

• Economic pressure does not encourage new appointments- especially if lacking experience.

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

Impact of ICT skills shortage?

“Two- thirds of respondent organisationsin SA faced increased security risks due to skills shortage.” - Simeon Tassev, MD and

QSA, Galix Networking.

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

What is being done in SA?

”Cybercrime is now the fourth most reported crime in South Africa, with our economy reportedly losing R1billion each year due to online criminal activities. Being breached is the new normal” – Cathy Smith, MD of Cisco Southern Africa.

Cisco SA launched a Cyber Security Experience Centre and Academy at its Johannesburg office to:• Expose both the public and private sector to the most up-to-date trends and threats• Provide knowledge into technology and skills to combat the influx in cybercrime.• Training done in the classroom and workspace to facilitate understanding of the SA IT

security in the global context.➢ http://www.itweb.co.za

Source: ITWeb – http://www.itweb.co.za, 5 Jul 2017

What is being done in SA - examples

• Skills Education Training Authorities (SETA’s)

• Sector Skills Plans

• ICT Academy Supported by SAP

• Cisco / Vodacom Network

• CIDA ICT Academy (NPO since 1999)

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator (SA)

• WEF Africa Skills Initiative

Source: world wide web

Sector skills plans

Of 18 SETA”s that were looked at, ICT roles are included in their SSP’s:

• 7 Significantly (detailed and qualified which roles)• 7 Mentioned (but without qualifying the roles )• 4 Not at all

- Correlation between different SETA SSP’s for ICT is low…

There is a need for greater cooperation between the SET’s with respect to ICT roles across the board!

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

From the SETA’s SSP’s about skills

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

MICT SETA

What the SETA’s say – W & R, Bank

Current trends

Continued need for skills in:

• Design

• Create

• Implement

• Operations delivery

• Relationships

Source: JCSE – 2016 skills survey

Lacking graduates skilled in:

• Social intelligence

• Emotional intelligence

• Cross-cultural competencies

• Decision making

• Critical thinking

Source: Mail & Guardian – Bridging SA’s skills gap, 2017

Future trends

• Projections for the next 5 years:oComputational thinking

oAbility to manage individually processed data

oNew media literacy

oCustomer-centered digital design skills

oDigital innovation

oNegotiation skills

oAdaptability and agility.

Source: Mail & Guardian – Bridging SA’s skills gap, 2017

Source: Mail & Guardian – Bridging SA’s skills gap, 2017

The main reason for a shortage in security professionals lends to the length of time it takes to become a professional. To obtain

basic/generic certifications (as well as others), the requirement is four to five years of work experience. There exists a lag in

qualifying; and the rapid rate of evolving technology and security requirements.

The organisations dilemma

• Find the knowledge, but not the skills or experience.

• Vacancies remain vacant.

• Appoint graduates; but don’t always have an IT learnershipprogramme.

• Experienced staff have limited learning paths, mainly technical skills.

• Existing L & D focuses on organisation and business skills.

• L & D for IT is limited to training courses, normally outsourced.

• L & D department doesn’t exist or is entirely outsources.

The manager’s dilemma

• New joiners and graduates have theory, but lack practical experience.

• Takes time to develop and contribute knowledge, skills and experience.

• Not a Learning & Development specialist.

• Don’t have a structured programme for new joiners or graduates.

• L & D department support is limited to a list of technical training courses.

The individual’s dilemma

• Graduates starting out offer theoretical knowledge.

• Have limited skills and often no practical experience.

• Levels of frustration because of initial menial tasks and not adding value.

• Learning and coaching depends on who with you work.

• Lack of visible learning and career path.

Actualise potential of organisations through people;

by designing career journeys that includes technical, professional, and personal development;

through practical courses designed to the needs of the organisation and individual.

The trends are telling us we need all of

this

In reality training mostly

focuses on…

There are gaps we

need to fill…

Holistic approach

Technical skills

Personal skills

Professionalskills

Holistic learning and development

Technical knowledge &

skillsIntroduction Foundations Intermediary Advanced Expert

Personal skillsUnderstand

selfUnderstand

othersManage yourself

Communicate effectively

Contribute to the team

Continued growth

Professional skills

Workplace specific

Workplace tools

Team leadGeneric

managementSpecialised

managementLeadership

Personalised career journeys

Technical knowledge &

skills

Introduction

disciplines

(GRC)

Foundations

ITG

InfoSec

Intermediary

ISO27000

Advanced

Cyber

Expert

Cyber

Personal development

Personal effectiveness

Recognisingothers

Communicate effectively

Team effectiveness

Grow others

Professional skillsPerforming

assessmentsDoing analysis

Reporting and roadmaps

Presentation skills

Facilitation skills

Personalised career journeys

Technical knowledge &

skillsIntroduction Foundations Intermediary Advanced Expert

Introduction

IS governance(ISO 27000)

Foundations

Cyber security(NIST)Case studies

Certification

Intermediary

Perform a gap assessments(NIST)ReportDevelop a roadmap and remediation plan

Advanced

Develop and implement: Cyber programAwarenessIncidence & response

Expert

Certification

Practical courses

Technical skills

Personal skills

Professionalskills

IT governance,IT risk managementIT complianceInformation security…

Understand myselfRecognise othersCommunicating effectivelyWorking in teamsBuilding relationships…

How to manage:• time,• meetings,• budgets• talent• Teams• process…

Developing skills:• assessment• analysis• critical thinking• decision making• Reasoning• Negotiation…

Thank you!

Closing comments / credits / contact details

andreviviers@mobiusacademy.co.za