Abstract
The unprecedented rapid spread of the COVID-19 crisis propelled skills development
and training organisations to shift suddenly from traditional teaching modalities to
online learning. In response to the pandemic, organisational leadership had to quickly
adapt to the new environment and apply relevant leadership qualities to ensure
continuity, which demands a different type of leader. South Africa has several
challenges, including a lack of internet connection, load-shedding, gross inequalities,
insufficient training for academic staff, resource scarcity, and technological
understanding. Training organisations had to find alternatives for teaching and
learning modalities to avoid total curriculum disruption. The main research objective
was to explore essential leadership requirements for skills development and training
within organisations during COVID-19.
Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with nine purposively sampled
participants. The main findings indicated a need for leaders to adopt new leadership
styles, promoting both mental and emotional well-being among employees whilst
engaging in self-values and learning. The lack of digital knowledge, limited
technological infrastructure, and a lack of access to online learning platforms are
affecting South Africa’s 2030 strategy to improve the economy and the workforce while
jeopardising psycho-social aspects for candidates who are training.
The study concluded that skills development and training organisations had been
overwhelmed by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, recommending that leaders
should be agile and support others.
Keywords:
Leadership requirements, adaptive leadership, COVID-19, skills development and
training, leadership, leadership competencies.