Manpower planning in the Zimbabwe public sector: a myth or reality?

Abstract

Almost all of the human resources management problems experienced in the Zimbabwean public sector today are related to the lack of qualified personnel. The expansion of government into "development" fields and the attendant growth in administration have increased the number of inexperienced personnel. Consequently, there is a clear need to make changes to develop a modern and efficient public sector. This thesis discusses the need for manpower planning, an activity that has been denied attention in the public sector. It presents various techniques that may be applied by decision makers for the effective utilization of human resources in the public sector. The intent is to provide a useful basis for change in the human resource management culture in the civil service of Zimbabwe. It is appropriate to focus on this important aspect of the personnel function now in view of current restructuring occurring in the public sector of Zimbabwe.