Abstract
This research aimed to explore and understand how the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP) professional competency model is being utilised by higher education institutions (HEIs) in South Africa to produce Human Resources (HR) graduates who are well-prepared and equipped with the essential skills that the labour market demands. The focus of the study was the model’s impact on HR graduate employability skills, meaning how these graduates are perceived and valued in the job market and their ability to perform effectively in various HR roles.
The problem statement revolves around the issue of HR professionals’ competence and the existing gap between the skills required by organisations and what HEIs produce in their HR graduates. Despite the adoption of competency development models by many organisations, the effectiveness of these models in bridging the gap remains uncertain. This gap between employer expectations and the skills possessed by HR graduates raises questions about how South African HEIs are implementing the SABPP HR Competency Model.
The findings showed that HR graduates perceive themselves as moderately equipped for the industry. However, they emphasise a disparity between their academic understanding and the required competencies. Although they have fundamental HR knowledge and interpersonal abilities, they need more practical experience. South African institutions only partially integrate the SABPP HR Competency Model, resulting in students needing more comprehension of industry requirements. HR experts and academics appreciate the SABPP approach but suggest enhancements in data analytics, strategic insight, and flexibility. The research underscores the necessity of experiencing learning via internships, practical projects, and interactive training.
THE ROLE OF A PROFESSIONAL SOUTH AFRICAN HUMAN RESOURCE COMPETENCY MODEL IN ENHANCING GRADUATE SKILLS
vii
By conducting this research, insights were gained into the effectiveness of the SABPP HR Competency Model and its contribution to producing competent and employable HR graduates. The findings of the study potentially led to improvements in HR education and training, ensuring that HR professionals were better equipped to meet the demands of the ever-evolving labour market.