, ENG1503 ASSIGNMENT 1 SEMESTER 2 2026
DUE DATE: 17 AUGUST 2026
TWO ANSWERS PROVIDED
QUESTION 1
The text highlights three central issues regarding skills shortages in South Africa. Firstly,
it indicates that businesses experience considerable difficulty in recruiting individuals
who possess the competencies required for available positions. This mismatch between
labour-market requirements and available skills can leave vacancies unfilled and place
additional pressure on existing employees. Secondly, the text identifies significant
deficiencies in digital, soft and environmental sustainability skills. These competencies
are increasingly important because businesses must respond to technological
advancement, changing consumer expectations and emerging environmental challenges.
In particular, digital literacy, data analysis, problem-solving, creativity and effective
communication are essential for contemporary workplaces. Thirdly, the text
emphasises the importance of collaboration between businesses, government and
educational institutions. Employers should contribute towards workplace-based
training, while educational institutions need to ensure that their programmes remain
relevant to labour-market demands. Government should facilitate and support effective
skills-development initiatives. Collectively, these issues demonstrate that addressing
skills shortages requires coordinated intervention rather than isolated efforts.
QUESTION 2
Skills shortages represent a major challenge for South African businesses because they
have direct implications for organisational productivity, innovation and long-term
competitiveness. Firstly, employers may be unable to recruit individuals with the
specialised competencies required for particular positions. Consequently, vacancies
may remain unfilled, while existing employees experience increased workloads and
DUE DATE: 17 AUGUST 2026
TWO ANSWERS PROVIDED
QUESTION 1
The text highlights three central issues regarding skills shortages in South Africa. Firstly,
it indicates that businesses experience considerable difficulty in recruiting individuals
who possess the competencies required for available positions. This mismatch between
labour-market requirements and available skills can leave vacancies unfilled and place
additional pressure on existing employees. Secondly, the text identifies significant
deficiencies in digital, soft and environmental sustainability skills. These competencies
are increasingly important because businesses must respond to technological
advancement, changing consumer expectations and emerging environmental challenges.
In particular, digital literacy, data analysis, problem-solving, creativity and effective
communication are essential for contemporary workplaces. Thirdly, the text
emphasises the importance of collaboration between businesses, government and
educational institutions. Employers should contribute towards workplace-based
training, while educational institutions need to ensure that their programmes remain
relevant to labour-market demands. Government should facilitate and support effective
skills-development initiatives. Collectively, these issues demonstrate that addressing
skills shortages requires coordinated intervention rather than isolated efforts.
QUESTION 2
Skills shortages represent a major challenge for South African businesses because they
have direct implications for organisational productivity, innovation and long-term
competitiveness. Firstly, employers may be unable to recruit individuals with the
specialised competencies required for particular positions. Consequently, vacancies
may remain unfilled, while existing employees experience increased workloads and
