The impact of HIV/AIDS

While a multiplicity of socio-economic factors impact on human resource development (HRD), HIV/AIDS has a disproportionately negative impact on the economically active population, on Africans and women. In this way it exacerbates existing structural inequalities. The impact is projected to occur unevenly across companies and sectors, and all skill levels will be negatively affected. Smaller losses are projected among highly skilled and skilled labour, with the largest losses projected among semi-skilled and unskilled labour. Consequently, labour and skills replacement will be required, but this may prove to be complex. Under these circumstances a reversal to capital substitution, poaching and the importation of foreign skilled labour may occur. HIV/AIDS will adversely affect the quantity and quality of education; the achievement of equity targets in skills development, education and training may also be at risk. A systematic, inclusive and long-term approach needs to be adopted to redirect the trajectory of the HIV/AIDS impact on HRD.