Skills development in South Africa has seen substantial investment over the years, largely driven by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) policies. While it’s undeniable that skills development is crucial for any economy, the structured and large-scale investment we’ve witnessed is significantly influenced by these policy requirements. This raises an important question: Are we prioritising true learning and development, or merely ticking compliance boxes?

Current State of BBBEE in South Africa

B-BBEE is a policy framework designed to redress the inequalities of apartheid by giving previously disadvantaged groups economic opportunities previously not available to them. Currently, in South Africa, B-BBEE compliance is mandatory for businesses that wish to work with the government and those that seek to maintain a competitive edge in the market. The policy encompasses various elements, including ownership, management control, skills development, enterprise development, and socio-economic development.

While B-BBEE has achieved significant milestones in promoting economic inclusion, its implementation has not been without challenges. Many businesses approach it as a compliance exercise rather than a genuine effort to foster transformation. This often leads to superficial initiatives that prioritise meeting the minimum requirements over creating impactful and sustainable development programmes.

Benefits of building a continuous learning culture within your organisation

Prioritising learning and skills development over mere compliance has numerous advantages. It leads to a more competent and adaptable workforce, capable of meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy. Employees who are continuously learning are more engaged, motivated, and productive.

This culture shift not only boosts individual performance but also enhances the overall competitiveness and innovation capacity of the organisation. This approach also helps in retaining top talent, as employees feel valued and motivated by opportunities for personal and professional growth. Moreover, genuine skills development contributes to broader socio-economic growth, helping to reduce inequality and foster a more inclusive society.

For businesses creating a learning-first culture, it will require a strategic approach. They can start this by:

• Aligning learning initiatives with the organisation’s goals and values.
• Encouraging continuous learning by providing access to diverse training programmes, workshops, and resources.
• Fostering a supportive environment where employees feel encouraged to pursue personal and professional development.
• Recognising and rewarding learning achievements to motivate ongoing participation.
• Pushing leadership to lead by example, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and growth.

B-BBEE compliance is still vital but we need to relook at the purpose of applying these training programmes. It’s possible to balance the compliance with a learning-first culture by integrating the two objectives into your organisational strategy. Organisations can achieve both regulatory requirements and meaningful development outcomes. Leaders in South Africa have the opportunity to transform our approach to skills development, ensuring that it delivers real value and contributes to a more inclusive and prosperous society.

Jody Basson is the founder and Chief Growth Officer  of MasterStart, a leading B2B edtech business that creates, builds and delivers scalable and innovative competency-based learning solutions for forward-thinking business. With over a decade in the education space, his mission is to develop confidence and competence in others and provide value to both the learner and organisation alike.