3.2 The development and retention of personnel with scarce skills is a cause for concern. During interaction with soldiers, concern was also raised over the availability of educational opportunities, the lack of career management, mentorship opportunities and at times unfair application of promotions policies. Pilots stressed that the significant reduction of flying hours is demotivating and a primary reason for exiting SAAF. The Committee believes that greater scrutiny of how human resource policies are applied is needed to, not only prevent the exodus of skills, but to ensure that all available skills at the base are nurtured and retained. The implementation of empowerment policies, particularly those aimed at the employment and development of persons with disabilities and women, was also raised as a challenge. Soldiers believe that disabled persons were not utilised and regarded as useful resources in the Defence Force.