SA ranked 45 out of 60 in global talent survey

SA'S ability to attract and retain talent is being hindered by shortfalls in education, according to the findings of a new global talent index.

The new study, released yesterday by research group Heidrick & Struggles in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit, said a lack of emphasis on education in SA was one of the biggest threats to the country's ability to fulfil its potential to attract and retain talent within its workforce.

Overall, SA was ranked 45 out of the 60 countries that were analysed in the 2011 Global Talent Index.

Its ranking showed a marginal improvement on its previous ranking in the first index, published in 2007, when it was placed 24 out of 30.

The survey found that talent across the globe was outstripping supply and that countries were not moving fast enough to prepare workers for the needs of tomorrow's economy.

The index analysed and compared the countries according to seven indicators: demographics, the quality of compulsory education, the quality of university education, the quality of the labour force, the degree to which the work environment nurtures talent, the mobility and relative openness of the labour market and the countries' proclivity to attract talent.

Each of these indicators consisted of several components or sub-categories for which each country was awarded points and ranked in relation to the rest of the countries.

The number one country in terms of its proclivity for attracting talent was Singapore, followed by Hong Kong, then the US.

Similarly, South Africa was found to have a work environment that was relatively effective in nurturing talent.