The private sector should get involved in the skills shortage by working closer with the government and public sector to promote skills and develop human capital, so as to enable South Africa to compete effectively in the global knowledge economy.

The private sector should get involved in the skills shortage by working closer with the government and public sector to promote skills and develop human capital, so as to enable South Africa to compete effectively in the global knowledge economy.

This according to acting Edu-Loan CEO Johan Wasserfall.

"Skills are fundamental to the social upliftment of our country and the government feels so strong about it that it has made skills development one of the seven pillars of the BEE scorecard." Wasserfall says.

Society will need to raise skill levels by converting the raw talent of South Africa's growing population into technical skills.

Edu-Loan, a private finance company focused on education, believes economic upliftment through education is vital to growing South Africa's young democracy.

It can assist individuals and companies with simple repayment options at affordable interest rates.

The company has agreements with almost all higher educational institutions in the country to assist with the financing of their students.

Wasserfall says helped with studies of employees and their dependants financed through a salary deduction facility.

Through the payroll deduction scheme employees who want to upgrade their knowledge and skills can pay for their studies within parameters that are manageable."

For more information on Edu-Loan contact 0860 55 55 44 or log on to www.eduloan.co.za.