There are dark clouds on the unemployment horizon as predictions of a 'double dip' recession may result in a second bout of retrenchments and job losses particularly in key sectors such as financial services and IT, South Africans have been warned to prepare for an extended period of downsizing.

ManpowerGroup calls for increased talent mobility to bridge the skills gaps and boost employment levels in the country. According to the workforce solutions specialists moving people for work should be part of the coordinated response to ongoing talent mismatches in industry.

13 years of reform have proven to be insufficient in eradicating inequality in the workplace according to the Employment Equity (CEE) Annual Report which has shown that black and female employees are still battling to attain top and senior management positions.

Minister Blade Nzimande was resolute in his message of promoting and institutionalising work integrated learning when he addressed major players in the higher education and training industry urging stakeholders to ‘ensure that every workplace becomes a training space with and for the workers and the youth of the country.’

Government met with SA's broadcast and publishing moguls to discuss the role of media in bringing about economic transformation and job creation against a 'background of a lot of debate on the fight against corruption in the country'. The successful meeting is hoped to be the first of many.

Des Squire discusses the functions and purpose of workplace forums and the correct way for employers to engage with employee committees about company policy,which can include anything from rules of conduct to the criteria for merits and bonuses.

Either come to work today or don't come back at all were the sentiments of Piotrans. The bus operating company responsible for the Rea Vaya service has given striking bus drivers this ultimatum after workers embarked on an illegal strike last week Monday leaving their daily 35 000 commuters stranded.

Through an exciting new partnership which aims to make quality education accessible to all South Africans, Eduloan in collaboration with Getsmarter will offer study loans for the value of the online university courses which could result in payments of R180 per month over 36 months for students.

To say that the Employment Equity Act is failing to transform South Africa would be an understatement, especially in light of recent findings which has infuriated Cosatu members who are calling it a 'national disgrace' after 17 years of democracy.

The subject of service in the retail sector has been hotly debated on Cape Talk Radio recently, as well as in other media. Isilumko Staffing offers advice to retailers and prospective temps illustrating the importance of the induction programmes that the company runs.

A thorough knowledge of people and business processes and a demand for honesty in business are two traits that set good leaders apart from great ones. Hylton Bannon mentions several behaviours leaders should adopt to achieve success in their organisations.

Do you really take a holiday or do you just access your email from a different location? Maybe one that is sunny and where your children are close by playing in the pool?

We are involved in the training of people working at ECD sites and the need for trained staff and better equipped centres is tremendous. The people working at many of these sites are not qualified and often can't afford to study.

When an employee runs a Twitter account as part of their job, what happens to their followers when they move to a new employer? The account is in the employee's name so they may want to take them with them, and the followers will make them more valuable to a future employer.

Are recruitment agencies the solution to your unemployment woes? Follow these guidelines when approaching a recruitment company to make the most of your job search and improve your chances of getting that perfect job.

If there's one thing everyone in South Africa can agree on, it's that unemployment is the major problem of our time. This week labour law consultant takes some time out to talk about job creation, what's been promised, and what he believes should be done.

A woman, interviewing for a pharmaceutical sales position, answers the common interview question: Tell me about yourself. This is an example of a excellent way to answer this question.

Handling difficult clients involves making them feel important and understand and meeting their needs quickly.

Words such as accretive, accruals and accumulated depreciation can strike fear in the hearts of even the toughest executives, but can non-financial managers combat their accounting fears? According to Mark Samowitz the principles of Accounting Comes Alive ‘make accounting accessible and understandable to anyone.’

Thirty learners at Christel House South Africa will receive an education over the next three years thanks to a generous R900 000 donation made by G.U.D Holdings Pty Ltd. Learners who excel at maths and science will also become eligible to participate in an apprenticeship programme provided by the donor company.

Potential employers are looking for more than just an impressive CV. Displaying a positive attitude in the midst of staggering unemployment levels and economic instability will set you apart from other job seekers; here HR specialist Patricia Frame speaks about how to remain upbeat during your job search.

Team building specialist Brian Moore talks about scenarios where more powerful, long term and sustainable team building is needed and how it can be achieved through transformational team building. He aslo provides some quick tips for managers to build high performance teams.

Pearl Seigel, self proclaimed “Femmepreneur” uses her experience in marketing, communication and consulting to provide insight to stuggling entrepreneurs and novices by highlighting some of the biggest mistakes new businesses make and how to avoid them.

Karen Gray shares her weekly training tip. This week's insert demonstrates how to teach Zulu greetings to English speakers in a way that is interesting, engaging and memorable for the learners.