As most of you are aware, the severe water situation in the Western Cape led to the postponement of the GSA Summit which was scheduled for March. Discussions are well advanced with the GSA to now host the summit in October this year – still in Cape Town as the water shortage stabilises. Updates will be posted on the BPESA website to keep you informed of the plans and opportunities for involvement.
Consultants from the Everest Group will be in South Africa later this month to conduct field work as part of the overall refresh and repositioning of South Africa’s BPO value proposition. Many of you will be engaged by them and we thank you in advance for your time. The value proposition will be made available to our members in late May this year and will form an integral component of our marketing toolkit.
Outbound investment promotion trips are being collectively planned by the dti and BPESA and will include key source markets: the USA, the UK and Australia – details to be posted on the BPESA calendar as they become available.
One of the inbound investment promotion trips (from Australia) is currently in the planning phase and set for May/ June; some of you may already have been contacted about this and for those who have not been contacted and are interested in participating please contact your regional representative for more information.
The first skills forums for 2018 were held in our three key regions where groups of willing skills professionals worked together to identify current and future skills challenges and opportunities facing our Sector. These discussions and collaborations form the starting point for the revision of the existing BPO skills strategy. These forums will continue to be held quarterly and will play a key role in guiding the BPO Sector as we prepare for future skills and the advent of Industry 4.0.
Should you wish to get involved in the BPESA BPO Skills Strategy, please make contact with your regional representative. Signed up BPESA members will be kept abreast of the forums, engagements and opportunities.
Plans are underway to host roundtable discussions in the 2nd Quarter of the year for the CEOs of Domestic Companies, to engage the local role players to see how best BPESA can help them with their specific needs, challenges and opportunities.
There are many existing market factors and new developments to be addressed collaboratively such as: the impact of Industry 4.0; the drive to build future skills for the digital age; the changing skills regulatory landscape; and youth unemployment and related interventions such as the recently launched YES initiative …. to mention a few.
Please look out for these session on the BPESA calendar and encourage your colleagues in your network to attend.