SANDF to deal with skills shortage

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The Department of Defence and Military Veterans is looking at innovative ways to deal with a critical skills shortage in some of its constituent services. The Chief of the South African National Defence Force’s Human Resources division, Lieutenant General Derrick Mbuyiselo Mgwebi, says skills needed include pilots, engineers and technicians.

The South African Air Force (SAAF) is the hardest hit with most of its pilots poached by private sector airlines,” the state BuaNws agency reports. Briefing the media in Pretoria, Mgwebi said various institutions had been consulted to assist with the training of personnel. “We want to ensure that our people are well trained and have the right tools for the job,” he said.

Mgwebi, the Chief of HR since 2007, said the department was looking at the Military Skills Development (MSD) programme to provide the SANDF with scarce skills as well as serve as a feeder system for the Defence Reserves.

The general also announced steps to further professionalise the officer corps. This included a requirement for captains or naval lieutenant’s to possess a university bachelor’s degree for promotion to major/lieutenant commander.

Pic: Mgwebi, as a major general, commanding the UN force in Burundi, around 2004.