On 26 February 2026, the MMP Successful Application of Technologies Centred Around People programme hosted a webinar titled “How to Build a Skills-First Approach in Organisations.” The session featured insights from PwC representatives, based on their research into evolving workforce models.
Drawing on their findings, PwC highlighted the growing limitations of traditional job-based organisational structures in today’s fast-changing, technology-driven environment. Rigid job descriptions and hierarchical models are increasingly unable to respond to technological disruption, talent shortages, and shifting market demands.
Their research points to a shift towards a skills-based organisation (SBO) as a more future-focused approach. By prioritising skills over formal roles, organisations can become more agile, inclusive, and innovative. In the mining sector, this approach has the potential to improve health and safety outcomes, strengthen productivity, enhance talent retention, and better respond to rapid technological change.
A skills-first model focuses on what people can do and their capabilities rather than their job titles or qualifications. According to PwC, leading organisations are already investing in new workforce approaches that enable them to:
- Map existing workforce capabilities
- Integrate skills data into talent management systems
- Create pathways for continuous learning and skills development
The session, facilitated by Prelene Parkash and Claudette Ramnarain from PwC, also outlined practical steps organisations can take to begin implementing a skills-first approach.
Panel contributions from Dr Busi Tshabalala of Africa Rainbow Minerals and Puleng Maseko of Transnet brought practical, industry-based perspectives to the discussion. Drawing on their experience, they highlighted key organisational drivers for adopting a skills-first approach, including talent retention, workforce reskilling and upskilling, collaborative partnerships, and meaningful engagement with organised labour.
The panellists also emphasised the importance of aligning skills strategies with a clear vision for the future of the organisation. This includes fostering emotionally intelligent leadership and building resilient, agile institutions that can respond effectively to change while supporting sustainable mining modernisation.
The SATCAP programme continues to engage stakeholders on critical issues related to jobs, skills development, reskilling and upskilling, and workforce transformation supporting a more inclusive and future-ready mining sector. Watch the webinar here: https://youtu.be/HIUkxK08q_I
