In a country with a staggering 35% unemployment rate, the prospect of attracting skilled foreign workers might seem counterintuitive, however, that's precisely what's unfolding. In October 2023, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) revealed its revised Critical Skills List, identifying sectors in South Africa grappling with shortages of proficient professionals.
Top Ten In-Demand Occupations
- Director (enterprise organisation)(medium enterprises or larger)
- Policy and Planning Manager
- Corporate General Manager
- Programme or Project Manager
- Quality Systems Manager
- Customer Service Manager
- Research and Development Manager
- Manufacturing Operations Manager
- Engineering Manager
- Supply and Distribution Manager
Among the critical areas experiencing shortages are Business Management, with a lack of qualified General Managers and Business Directors. These leaders have significant influence in guiding businesses toward prosperity, yet their scarcity hinders growth and innovation.
In the project management sector, the scarcity of Project Managers is expected to hinder the efficient execution of initiatives, impacting productivity and competitiveness.
The call centre industry is grappling with a shortfall in Customer Service and Call Centre Managers. Call Centre agents play a pivotal role in upholding service standards and enhancing customer satisfaction.
Supply Chain Management is another area of concern, with shortages in Supply and Distribution Managers. A lack of skills could impede the seamless flow of goods and services.
Even within the engineering sector, which encompasses disciplines like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Industrial Engineering, there's a notable scarcity of professionals, including Millwrights.
These experts are indispensable for infrastructure development, innovation, and economic advancement. Remarkably, scarcity extends even to creative industries such as Multimedia Design, where skilled professionals are in short supply. Their expertise is instrumental for branding, digital marketing, and user experience design.
Neither the finance nor IT sectors are immune to this scarcity. Accountants, Tax Professionals, Software Developers, Computer Network Engineers, and Systems Analysts are all in high demand yet facing shortages.
