Factors influencing retention of engineers in South African coal power stations.
Date
2014-09-09
Authors
Myeza, Angela
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Abstract
ABSTRACT
There is a looming shortage of skilled employees that possess high
performance qualities. Moreover, the skills possessed by knowledge workers
are sought after. However, research shows that the pool from which
organisations pick these workers is shrinking. Organisations that fail to retain
high performers may be left with the low performers, which negatively affects
their competitive advantage and it has been shown that when an employee
leaves an organisation, the profitability of the company is affected in a
negative way too. Power stations are not immune and find themselves facing
the very same challenge when it comes to retaining their engineers.
Given this predicament in which organisations find themselves, this research
identifies the factors that influence engineers to stay in employment at coal
power stations and determines how these factors are ranked in order of
relative importance.
A survey was conducted at the power stations using a self-completion
questionnaire, which the engineers were requested to complete to determine
factors contributing to their retention.
It was found that the most important factor to the engineers was the
availability of career advancement opportunities. Organisational culture was
found to be unimportant when compared to the other factors. Given the
relatively young work force at the stations, it makes sense that career
advancement is the priority.
Engineers want to see their careers progress and want a clear path to be
drawn showing the direction and possible speed at which they can advance to
the next level. The young engineer is flexible and does not hesitate to take the
next best available opportunity and knows that he is in demand for his skills
and power stations need to realise that to retain this breed of engineers, they
need to put effort into assisting the engineers to progress in their career
aspirations.
Description
MBA 2014
Keywords
Employee retention, Engineers -- Employment .