Mr. Sean Madliwa, Associate Client Partner at FranklinCovey SA, delivered his keynote address.

On 16 July 2024, the Department of Business Management at Welkom Campus held its inaugural Human Resources Management summit, "Elevate, Evolve, Engage: Shaping the Future of Work." This unique event set the stage for future industry engagements and collaborations.

The summit, with its focus on bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical industry insights in the HRM field, provided aspiring students with a unique opportunity. It was a platform for them to engage with industry experts and professionals, gaining essential knowledge and perspectives about the realities of the profession. This experience was invaluable in preparing them for their future careers.

The event featured industry leaders from prominent organisations such as the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), FranklinCovey, ABSA, and Harmony Gold Mine. These leaders shared strategies for fostering innovation, managing change, and boosting productivity through a learning-centered culture. The insights provided were theoretical and practical, helping students understand the real-world applications of their academic learning.

Mr Sean Madliwa, Associate Client Partner at FranklinCovey SA, delivered the keynote address, covering essential topics such as workplace technology, talent management, labour relations, leadership, and organisational development and change.

He said that the future of work is not just about adapting to change but driving it. “By elevating minds, evolving cultures, and engaging the future, we hold the keys to unlocking unprecedented potential. Let us seize this moment to be architects of a new era where innovation, inclusivity, and resilience are the cornerstones of our success."

Mr Madliwa highlighted the Human First Future of Work Framework, a crucial concept for building a sustainable, future-fit working environment. This framework, based on five pillars-Employee Experience, Skills, Office, Culture, and AI and Automation, is essential for understanding and preparing for the future of work.

“To shape the future of work, we must reimagine our concept of work itself. This requires us to elevate our thinking, evolve our culture, and proactively engage with the future. The five essential pillars for this transformation are enhancing the employee experience, adopting AI and automation, evolving our culture, creating a personalised and effective workspace, and continuously updating our skillsets to stay agile and relevant. I urge you to immerse yourselves in this mindset while still at this institution. Embrace it, embody it, and be the change you wish to see in the future.”

CUT students from both campuses attended the event.

The event concluded on a high note with inspiring words from industry partners who shared their wealth of knowledge and expertise with future HR professionals. From L-R: Ms Pamela Xaba, Associate Client Partner: FranklinConvey SA, Dr Reynell van der Ross, Deputy Director HR Special Services: CUT, Ms Jeannie Myeni, People Partner Relationship Banking Commercial, Premium & High Value: ABSA and Ms Mabo Malaza, Head of Learning, Development and Transformation: Harmony Gold Mine.