Minister Blade Nzimande reflects on the current state of further education and training colleges and highlights the plight of the local youth as South Africa celebrates youth month in 2012. These institutions are government’s first line of defence against skills shortages and unemployment amongst young people.

The judgment of the Labour Court signals a step in the right direction for the fulfillment of dual roles in the South African society that is, maintaining the well being of the family whilst being able to pursue a career, says Commission for Gender Equality (CGE).

Issues such as employee wellness, HR practices and business models will be addressed during The Star HRD Expo 2012, when professionals associated with the HR industry assemble to exchange ideas.

Commonly referred to as “keeping the books”, the basics of bookkeeping can be sidelined in a business when the main concern is making that sale or delivering those goods. From collating receipts piled in a shoebox to managing a payment system that uses a cash register, bookkeeping is something every business needs.

Building on the success of the inaugural conference 2011, the GSB conference will continue and extend the debate on the role of business in developing innovative responses to complex social and environmental problems.

In order for South Africa to grow and excel it is necessary to recognise and celebrate exceptional individuals who make a difference and lead the way in the world of work, for this reason the Rising Star Awards was created.

Training providers who wish to join the Legal Advisory Committee of the Association for Private Providers of Education, Training and Development (APPETD) are welcome to apply. The committee seeks to address and give legal advice to private providers in the education and training sector.

Government and business accountability for economic, societal and environmental issues will be addressed at the United Nations at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. New corporate reporting standards are expected to emerge from this international gathering.

The irony of change is that the more control we think we have, the more we rely on personal willpower and the less likely we are to succeed. We are blind to and outnumbered by the ways in which the world is organised to drive our own and other’s current behaviour.

A well-functioning national payment system is important to an economy and failure of such a system can have devastating effects on an economy, says Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele.

The value of soft skills is often underestimated in the workplace as many managers don’t understand how these skills contribute to the overall business function. James Heckman discusses the role and importance of soft skills in an individual's skills set.

If you don’t see yourself as a mentor or leader, then you have yet to fully embrace your role as a modern-day HR practitioner. The era of the glorified paper-pusher is ending as more HR practitioners are stepping out of an administrative function into a strategic advisory role.

An innovative elearning initiative is bringing the classroom into the business environment and giving employers a cost-effective way to train employees in VAT and tax operations.

Consensus in business is rare. But one subject – talent management – usually gets a unanimous endorsement from directors and CEOs. They are all for it. Talent is scarce. It has to be attracted, retained and developed if the business is to remain competitive.

Perfection can push us to improve the quality of our work and help us to achieve. Many successful people claim to be perfectionists, and attribute their success to this personality trait. Yet perfectionism can also leave us feeling dissatisfied with our performance which leads to anxiety and in some extreme cases depression.

Are your looking for a project to meet your Mandela Day responsibility or your corporate social responsibility programme? The Izandla Zothando (meaning Hands of Love) Foundation in the Impendle Municipality is one option.

General happiness disposition is known to precede and predict success at work. And those who are recruited by organisations tend to be the happier of the candidates. Although, in terms of general Happiness (as contrasted with the niche subject of Happiness at Work), S.A. only ranks 90th in the UN’s first World Happiness Report (compiled by the Earth Institute at New York’s Columbia University) comprising 156 countries.

Minister Blade Nzimande has been critical of the amount of money wasted by Setas but also of the lack of contribution and partnership with FET colleges. The Fasset Seta Board has approved in principle a scheme which will benefit learners within the financial services sector, but is this a model for other Setas to follow?

Government's commitment to improving Early Childhood Development is finally paying off according to the midterm review report which revealed that school enrolment in Grade R doubled between 2003 and 2011.

Executives will need to keep prices low and look at long term gains rather than short term wins if they hope to survive current competitive markets, but real economic growth requires 'imagination and innovation' says Liza Van Wyk.

Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant has paid tribute to the outgoing Director-General of the International Labour Organisation Juan Somavia, saying under his tutelage, the voice of labour was audible on the international stage.