Organisation culture and older workforce in the transfer of skills in a section of a selected water board in South Africa

Lilahloane C. Mtshali & Leon T.B. Jackson

Abstract

Numerous organisations all over the world are proactively experiencing labour force crises due to ageing employees and a decreasing pool of a skilful younger generation who which can replace retiring baby boomers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of an ageing workforce and skills transfer of tan organisation, with the aim of coming up with strategies that can combat challenges pertaining to the dilemma. This study was conducted to assess the current challenges the organisation is facing regarding an ageing workforce. Focus will be placed on the importance of the loss of skills and how such skills can be retained and transferred to younger employees and recorded as institutional property.

Data was collected from Rand Water employees, that is: operators, artisans, support staff and management. A questionnaire with a six-point Likert scale was used to collect data from 156 participants working in selected Rand Water sites to investigate the investigation problem of an ageing workforce and skills transfer in the organisation.

The research results indicated that there is a strong positive relationship between support older employees to transfer skills, skills and knowledge transfer, the use and willingness of older employees for skills transfer, the use of skills sharing to reach goals and skills shortage among employees within the targeted Rand Water organisation. Such research results are very imperative to top management of the organisation for the execution of recommendations.

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