Skills shortages offer job opportunities
Matrics should consider job shortages before choosing tertiary studies
It seems almost unreal that in a country with unemployment hovering around the 25% mark, that we should still suffer job shortages.
However, lack of technical competencies remains a big problem for employees.
That is the opinion of Manpower Managing Director Lyndy van den Barselaar with regards to the substantial skills deficiencies in South Africa.
But both Manpower and career specialists believe the negative employment data could very well solve the dilemma faced by matriculants when deciding on the tertiary qualifications they should pursue.
‘It is critically important for the youth to look into which sectors are employing,’ says Van den Barselaar.
Prostaffing Personnel Richards Bay Co-Director Paul Pereira agrees that information on sectors experiencing skills shortages in local industries should become part of what drives a learner’s prospective career choice.
‘In this region we have found that the biggest skills shortages for jobs are mechanical engineers, auto technicians, mechanical artisans as well as accounting and financial staff,’ says Perreira.
‘Career planning is a multi-step process that involves learning enough about yourself, but also what the industry needs and what qualifications and skills are required to obtain that specific job. While salary is important, it isn’t the only factor you should look at.’
A survey conducted by Manpower shows that 58% of employers said they could not fill positions due to a lack of hard skills or technical competencies, with 45% attributing it to a lack of suitable applicants.
Furthermore, around 30% of employers mentioned the fact that many employees did not have industry-specific qualifications or certifications in a professional field (33%) or that they had a lack of experience (29%).
‘Students planning to enter the job market need to keep up to date with the latest data concerning employment and sector performance,’ says Van den Barselaar.
‘This will be to their advantage, as well as helping the economy to grow and unemployment to be reduced.’
