Description

Competition for high-quality products and services is no longer limited to domestic markets, as it has expanded to the international arena. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the processes that are employed by the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) and its stakeholders to address the skills phenomenon. The study aimed to determine whether the practices that are implemented by the CHIETA and its stakeholders in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, are adequate and sustainable. The researcher adopted a mixed-methods approach, by utilising a pragmatic orientation and by employing the case study method. The theoretical frameworks that were employed in this study encompassed dynamic capabilities, stakeholder strategic frameworks, and the McKinsey 7S framework. This study contributes an African context to the realm of strategic skills planning and implementation. The anticipated contribution of this study extends beyond the academic literature, as it also encompasses the practical implications within the strategic skills domain. The findings of this study revealed that although the CHIETA and its chemical stakeholders practice strategic skills planning and implementation, these efforts are not significant enough to effect substantial changes in the economy. To address this issue, the study proposes closer collaborations and an innovative approach to strategic skills planning and implementation.