Expatriates may be employed to plug skills shortages

The Herald, June 20 1980

EXPATRIATE workers will probably have to be employed in Zimbabwe because of the grave shortage of skilled manpower, the Minister of Manpower Planning and Development, Dr Edgar Tekere, told the industrialists.

He appealed to skilled workers not to emigrate. “Those of our skilled workers who are still considering emigrating should stop and think again.

“Never have their skills been in such demand, and if they are truly Zimbabweans they will react to the challenge,” he said.

Questioned by delegates on the problem and how the Government was planning to keep people here, the Minister said: “It is very disappointing. It is training investment being carried away. I get so irritated sometimes I ask people where are they going to – have they never belonged?

“The use of expatriate workers is something we should try to avoid, but it does not look like we are going to be able to avoid it.”

The minister called for co-operation from industry in training, saying the Government could not solve the problem by itself.

“It can only provide the direction, the co-ordination and assistance which will enable industry to produce the required skills,” he said.

A vocational training centre was going to be set up, with the immediate task of working out programmes to upgrade semi-skilled workers. It would also instruct trainers themselves and provide a national skill testing service.

Dr Tekere told industry it had to work out programmes to allow semi-skilled workers to advance to skilled positions.

The minister said the biggest problem in establishing formal training facilities was shortage of staff.

“Our existing colleges are undermanned and the creation of additional facilities will be of no avail if suitably qualified instructors are not available.

“While it is urgently necessary to review present salaries payable to college staff, this in itself will not solve the problem,” he said.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

The responsibility of training people especially students should not rest on Government alone, but should be shared with the private sector.

It is essential for Government to retain its skilled staff especially in critical areas such as the medical field.

Expatriates are important in some instances because of their special skills, but they tend to be expensive and when their contracts expire, they leave with their expertise.