Skills Shortages in South Africa

Case Studies of Key Professions South Africa’s skills shortages are widely regarded as a key factor preventing the achievement of targeted growth rates. There is some dispute as to the nature and extent of these shortages, given that the country also has a large pool of unemployed graduates. The case studies presented in this monograph explore the question of shortage in nine key professions and trades and find evidence of skills scarcity in most fields.

HSRC Press

Product Information

Format:

240mm x 168mm (Soft Cover)

Pages:

288

ISBN-13:

978-07969-2266-3

Publish Year:

2009

Rights:

World Rights

Preface

1 Introduction
Mignonne Breier

2 Identification of scarce skills
Johan Erasmus

3 Managers
Loyiso Mbabane

4 Social workers
Nicci Earle

5 Engineering
Rnette du Toit and Joan Roodt

6 Doctors
Mignonne Breier

7 Nurses
Angelique Wildschut and Thando Mgqolozana

8 Law professionals
Shane Godfrey

9 ICT professionals
Joan Roodt and Andrew Paterson

10 Educators
Thobeka Mda

11 Artisans
Jeffy Mukora

12 City planners
Alison Todes

Dr Johan Erasmus is a chief researcher in the Education, Science and Skills Development Programme at the HSRC. Before joining the HSRC, Dr Erasmus worked at the Rural Foundation where he was responsible for establishing a national training programme for community development officials. He has undertaken projects for organisations such as Transnet, The National Business Initiative, The Professional Provident Society, The Education Training and Development Practices SETA, the Department of Labour, the Department of Trade and Industry and the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education And Training Authority.

Dr Mignonne Breier is a chief research specialist in the Education, Sciences and Skills Development research programme at the HSRC. Before joining the HSRC, she was a senior researcher at the Centre for the Study of Higher Education, formerly the Education Policy Unit, at the University of the Western Cape. Her areas of research interest include higher education, with an emphasis on professional education and curriculum issues, adult education, and recognition of prior learning.