Advancing economic growth through human capital development in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Orientation: Economic growth is a national priority for South Africa, yet poverty, inequality, and unemployment persist. This study examines human capital development (HCD) as a catalyst for growth in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Research purpose: The study identifies critical HCD pillars, skills development, strategic alignment, impact measurement and management challenges and proposes a practical HCD framework suited to South Africa’s socio-economic realities. Motivation for the study: Despite legislation like the National Skills Development Act, HCD practices remain inconsistent across sectors. A deeper understanding of HCD’s role in workforce development and economic progress is required. Research approach/design and method: A qualitative design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews with HCD managers were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis to identify key themes. Main findings: Five themes emerged: (1) skills transfer and capability building, (2) alignment of HCD with business strategy, (3) evaluation of HCD return on investment, (4) challenges in adapting to 4IR demands and (5) structured HCD frameworks. These highlight gaps and opportunities for strengthening workforce readiness. Practical/managerial implications: A four-pillar HCD model is proposed, emphasising skills transfer, adaptability, integration with economic strategies and leveraging 4IR technologies. Implementing Personal Development Plans (PDPs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) is recommended to enhance outcomes. Contribution/value-add: The study provides a theoretically grounded and empirically informed HCD framework aligned with South Africa’s economic priorities, offering actionable insights for policymakers, business leaders and HR professionals to develop a future-ready workforce.