Abstract:
Investigates and assesses the current level of personnel management in the Western Cape footwear industry with the emphasis on recruitment and selection procedures. The nature of labour turnover in the industry is also investigated. A biographic checklist is constructed to assist in the selection process to predict the stability of an applicant. In order to assess the level of manpower management in the industry it is first necessary to look at some of the theories of manpower management. It was found that the level of personnel management in the industry was low. Another important conclusion was that the selection procedures used were not sufficient to provide good quality labour. A survey was conducted amongst the nine largest employers in the industry in the Western Cape. The conclusion is that companies still do not recognize the importance of the personnel function. Recruitment and selection procedures are still inadequate in providing good quality workers. Previous research in the industry shows that the biggest turnover problem lies with learners in their early period of service. A study was conducted to determine whether any biographic characteristics of the worker could be used as a predictor of tenure. The objective was to assess the feasibility of constructing a biographic checklist to be used in the selection process. A selection instrument is suggested to serve as an application form and questionnaire for the construction of a company-specific application blank.