• CRITICAL SKILLS
    SURVEY RESULTS

Introduction to this year’s survey

This is the most prominent survey in South Africa of its kind, considered by Government and a good example was the speech of Minister Angie Motshekga at the launch of the Rhodesfield Engineering School of Specialisation; making direct reference thereto.

In the news

Click here to read: The most in-demand skills in SA may be leaving for greener pastures

Respondents

110 Number of companies who participated in this year’s survey, including JSE-listed companies and large multinational groups operating in Africa

60% Respondents in management and key decision-making positions

18% of the respondents are c-suite level executives

Industries who participated in the survey

  • Government
  • Life, Physical and Social Sciences
  • Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry
  • Legal Services
  • Arts and Entertainment
  • Installation and Repairs
  • NGO’s
  • Sales
  • Transportation and Moving
  • Administration Services
  • Production and Manufacturing
  • Food and Restaurants
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Management
  • Architecture and Engineering
  • Education and Libraries
  • Information Communication Technologies
  • Construction and Extraction
  • Healthcare and Medical Services
  • IT and Technical Services
  • Business and Finance
Do you find that your organisation struggles to recruit critically skilled individuals?
We find it extremely difficult - 44%
We find it somewhat difficult - 41%
Neutral - 10%
We don’t find it difficult at all - 5%
Would and international search help you find these skills?
Definitely, it would help a lot! - 56%
It would help to some degree - 29%
Not sure if it would help - 10%
I don’t think it would help - 5%
Do you perceive the work visa process as a prohibitor to recruit internationally?
Yes, it is an extreme prohibitor - 62%
It restrains the process a little - 22%
Not sure if it is a prohibitor - 9%
Do not think it is a prohibitor - 7%
What impact does the work visa process have on your business operations?
It has an significant impact - 72%
It has a slight impact - 21%
Not sure if it has an impact - 5%
Do not think it has an impact - 2%

Top 10 occupations respondents identified as being the most difficult to recruit in South Africa

ICT Specialists

Engineers

Artisans

Senior Financial Executives

Health Sector

Executive Managers

Specialists and Academics

Health Sector

Risk Manager

Foreign Language Speakers

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2019 Critical Skills Survey

The 2019 critical skills survey will open early this year!

Several visa-related reforms are on the horizon in line with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Economic Stimulus and Recovery Plan. This includes a review of the critical skills list expected to be published later this year.

The 2019 survey results will be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs and Parliament in line with the White Paper on International Migration and the DHET’s National List of Occupations in High Demand and specifically to address any occupations not catered for on the new draft list. The survey offers an opportunity for Mobility and Human Resource practitioners to help shape law.

To participate follow us on social media where we will announce when the survey opens. Alternatively provide your email address below and we will alert you.

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Kindly note that our offices are closed between 25 December 2024 and 1 January 2025 and as such there will be a delay in our normal expeditious response times. Our teams are taking a short festive season break and will address your query upon their return on Thursday, 2 January 2025.