The HR Expo Africa (HREA) has called on governments and private sectors to embrace technology, innovations, and the use of AI to enhance employee productivity and inspire economic challenges.

The human resources platform said that government and business owners should not throw away the budget for training and development of the workforce despite the current economic challenges.

The convener of the HREA Work Festival, 2024, Erefa Coker, and other HR Professionals gave the charge at closing a two-day HR Expo Africa (HREA) Work Festival 2024 on Thursday in Lagos.

Mr Coker stressed the importance of technology and the role of AI in driving human resources professions in public and private sectors but said that the workforce remained critical in any organisation.

According to her, the festival is always a space for HR professionals and top-notch tech HR leaders to come and teach upcoming professionals who are new to the industry.

“For business owners and the government, as the world of technology advances, it is important to constantly upskill our employees. People who work for us must have the right skills.

“For the government, there is a need to prioritise learning across government sectors. The government must put a premium on learning for its workforce to grow,” she said.

John Opute, a member of the HREA advisory board, said the organisation was founded to create a platform for HR officers and all managers of people in the public or private sector.

Describing the current situation in the country as tough times, Opute said that managers of people must build and expose the workforce in these challenging times to grow.

He urged the managers of people in the government and private sector to continue encouraging employee upskilling through the Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

Mr Opute recommended a quarterly tripartite meeting of trade unions, employers, and the government on issues of upskilling people in difficult times.

Kemi Juba, head of Brand Marketing and Corporate Communication of Credit Direct, one of the sponsors, said HR was about improving productivity, reducing employees’ stress, turning employees into brand ambassadors, and maintaining strong and happy workforces.

A panellist, Usen Udoh of ValueBridge Consulting, said that the HREA said it would be impossible for many organisations to compete if such operations were conducted manually.

NAN)