Therefore, organisations need to consider some important issues as they face the
future: continuous technological change; the increasing removal of trade barriers; the
consequent globalisation; the volatility of customer demand within existing markets (Luoma,
2000; Ulrich, 1997). These continuous changes have challenged organisations to learn how to
manage their businesses in the context of these continuous unpredictable changes, to learn
how to confront these changes quickly and successfully. It is argued that, in order for an
organisation to achieve its objectives and goals, it needs to consider the important role of its
people; it needs a highly competent, skilled and trained workforce.