In 2024 Mentornet piloted the Advanced Certificate on Occupational Learning: Learning and Development Advisor, on NQF Level 7. Learners had to submit more than 50 practical assignments to be declared ready for the EISA. This gave me the idea to share their products with other learning providers and learners in occupational and vocational learning. So, I asked the learners who achieved a distinction for assignments for permission to publish their submissions as articles on our Intgrty website. Articles are published unanimously for obvious reasons.

The following steps can be taken to plan the method and scope of the talent management plan:

1. Conduct a Skills Needs Analysis

Purpose: Identify gaps between current employee capabilities and future organisational requirements.

Approach: Use a combination of methods such as brainstorming, focus groups, interviews, and document analysis to gather information on talent needs. Include job-specific assessments, such as task and process analysis, to align skills with organisational goals.

Tools:

• Questionnaires and surveys for broad input.
• Observation and reverse engineering for detailed role-specific insights.

2. Develop Role Profiles

• Include job purpose, key responsibilities, required competencies, and critical success factorsfor each role.
• Categorise roles into tiers: leadership, technical, and operational.

3. Establish Talent Pipelines

• Identify high-potential employees (HIPOs) and critical positions that need immediate or future succession planning.
• Use performance evaluations, potential assessments, and feedback from department heads.

4. Design Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

• Incorporate training programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development initiatives.
• Align learning outcomes with organisational objectives, such as improved productivity and leadership readiness.

5. Integrate Monitoring and Feedback Mechanisms

• Use performance management tools to track employee progress.
• Conduct regular review sessions with managers and HR to adjust development plans as needed.

The scope of the talent management plan

On organisational level you should address the needs of all departments, focusing on roles critical to achieving strategic objectives.

Stakeholders Involved

Stakeholders can include HR professionals, department heads, mentors, and employees.

Ensure participation from both managerial and operational levels to build a holistic view of talent requirements.

Key Focus Areas. Key focus areas should include skills development, leadership succession and retention.

Skills Development: Focus on role-specific skills and cross-functional competencies.

Leadership Succession: Identify and groom future leaders for critical roles.

Retention Strategies: Develop plans to retain high-potential employees and minimise turnover.

Alignment with Strategic Objectives

• Ensure talent management supports the organisation’s mission, vision, and values.
• Prioritise current and future business needs, such as technological advancements or expansion plans.

5. Timeframe

Implement the plan over a 12-month period with quarterly reviews and adjustments based on progress and organisational changes.