Abstract
The purpose of the study was to examine the direct relationship and effect of human resource management practices (working environment and employment conditions) on perceived skills shortage among engineers, professionals, and supervisors in the South African gold mines. A sample of 300 engineers, professionals and supervisors was selected by purposive sampling from three selected South African gold mines. For the analysis of the data collected through a self-administered questionnaire, correlation and multiple regression were conducted using Social Package for Social Sciences, version 25. The study revealed that the working environment and employment conditions had a positive significant relationship with the perceived skills shortage in the gold mines. Considering the regression coefficients of two predictors, working environment exerted a greater impact on perceived skills shortage than employment conditions. The benefits of providing an attractive employment condition and supportive working environment create incentives for job satisfaction, employee’s intention to stay and talent retention. The study contributes to the growing research of skills shortage by conducting empirical tests consisting of three variables (perceived skills shortage, working environment, and employment conditions) in the gold mining context.
Highlights
Pressure from skills shortage had abated in the current South African gold mining environment
There was sufficient and strong evidence that the null hypothesis, H01, was rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis. This suggests that a unit increase in the working environment while all other relevant factors remain constant at 0,8671 Y- intercept, perceived skills shortage will increase by 0.5942 units in South African gold mines
There is sufficient and moderate evidence that the null hypothesis, H02, was rejected in favour of the alternative hypothesis. This suggests that a unit increase in employment conditions while all other relevant factors remain constant at 0,8671 Y- intercept, perceived skills shortage will increase by 0.1908 units in South African gold mines
Summary
Pressure from skills shortage had abated in the current South African gold mining environment. Mining companies find it very difficult to attract and retain these skilled employees as they compete for scarce skills with infrastructure, manufacturing and other local industries. They are at a disadvantage due to harsh conditions, remote locations and long working hours in which they operate It is increasingly evident that human resource management practices (working environment and employment conditions) will continue to be a critical component of skills shortage in the South African gold mines. Few studies explored the impact of the working environment and employment conditions on skills shortages within the mining industry – known for being tough and a hazardous occupation Worldwide, mining is inherently dangerous work with a record of recurring accidents (fatalities and occasional disasters) and high incidences of occupational disease, undertaken in a remote setting and long hours (Malherbe, 2000:24; Masia & Pienaar 2011, p. 1)
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