Manpower annual talent shortage survey reveals skilled Manual Trade, Engineers and Accounting and Finance tops the most wanted list in South Africa
- Written by Gary Watkins
- Published in articles001-100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09 MAY 2008
Manpower Annual Talent Shortage Survey Reveals Skilled Manual Trade, Engineers and Accounting and Finance Tops the Most Wanted List in South Africa
38 percent of Employers in South Africa Struggling to Find Qualified Job Candidates
Manpower South Africa recently released the results of its second annual talent shortage survey, revealing that 38 percent of employers across South Africa are finding it more difficult to fill jobs. The top three skills most in demand are: Skilled Manual Traders (primarily electricians, carpenters/joiners or welders), Engineers, and Accounting and Finance Employees. As a follow-up to its 2007 and 2006 surveys, Manpower Inc. surveyed nearly 43,000 employers across 32 countries and territories including 762 employers as part of the second such survey in South Africa to determine which positions employers are having difficulty filling this year due to lack of available talent. Globally, the survey found that 31 percent of employers worldwide are finding it more difficult to fill jobs.
In South Africa, it was found that 38 percent of employers are finding it difficult to fill jobs.
The top 10 positions that employers in South Africa are having difficulty filling in 2008 compared to 2007 are (ranked in order):
2008 Hot Jobs 1. Skilled Manual Trades 2. Engineers 3. Accounting and Finance Staff 4. Technicians 5. Management / Executives 6. Teachers 7. Drivers 8. Sales Representatives 9. IT Staff 10. Secretaries, PA’s and Office Support |
2007 Hot Jobs 1. Engineers 2. Skilled Manual Trades 3. Technicians 4. Accounting & Finance Staff 5. Management/Executives 6. Teachers 7. Sales Representatives 8. Insurance Staff 9. IT Staff 10. Restaurants & Hotels Staff |
“Our experience nationally in sourcing the right candidates for our clients reflects the findings of the survey. Skilled trades-people, and qualified engineers and technicians specifically, are in high demand, but in short supply. In addition the increased exodus of qualified engineering staff to Australia and New Zealand specifically is making matters worse.” says Jan Coetzee, Managing Director of Manpower South Africa.
On a global basis, employers having the most difficulty finding the right people to fill jobs are those in Romania (73%), Japan (63%), Hong Kong (61%), Singapore (57%) and Australia (52%). Of these countries, Hong Kong reported the most dramatic increase compared to the 2007 result. In the UK, India, Ireland and China, talent shortages are prevalent, but less severe, as employers are still struggling to fill specific positions.
The toughest jobs to fill for employers in 2008 are positions requiring skilled manual trades and this reflects the situation in Germany, the UK, France, Canada, Australia, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Norway, Czech Republic, South Africa and Poland. Similarly, sales representatives are listed as the most difficult to find in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand.
Today’s survey announcement coincides with the publication of the Manpower White Paper, Confronting the Talent Crunch: 2008, updated since its 2007 publication. The white paper highlights the growing talent shortages around the world and what businesses, governments and individuals should be doing to adapt their human resource strategies. Visit http://www.manpower.com/ResearchCenter for a copy of the Manpower white paper.
ENDS
For further media information please contact:
ChatROOM media and design
Zukiswa Nomnganga
Tel: 021 422 2806
Email: zukiswa@chatroom.co.za
Note to editors
Manpower South Africa surveyed nearly764 employers across South Africa in late January to determine the extent in which talent shortages are impacting today’s labor markets. To obtain the full Manpower Talent Shortage Survey results, click on the following link: http://www.manpower.com/ResearchCenter
In this survey, skilled manual trades refers to a broad range of job titles that require workers to possess specialised skills, traditionally learned over a period of time as an apprentice. Examples of skilled trades jobs include: electricians, carpenters, cabinet makers, masons/bricklayers, plumbers and welders. Technicians include primarily production/operations, engineering and maintenance.
About Manpower South Africa
Manpower South Africa is the local subsidiary of Manpower Inc. (NYSE: MAN), a world leader in the employment services industry. Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2008, the $21 billion Manpower Inc. offers employers a range of services for the entire employment and business cycle including permanent, temporary and contract recruitment; employee assessment and selection; training; outplacement; outsourcing and consulting. Manpower's worldwide network of 4,500 offices in 80 countries and territories enables the company to meet the needs of its 400,000 clients per year, including small and medium size enterprises in all industry sectors, as well as the world's largest multinational corporations. The focus of
Manpower's work is on raising productivity through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction across their total workforce, enabling clients to concentrate on their core business activities.
Manpower South Africa was established in 1999, and since inception, has built the reputation as an expert talent acquisition and staffing provider in the Finance, Engineering, IT, Office Support, and Industrial sectors. Manpower South Africa currently operates 15 specialist branches across South Africa.
For more information, visit www.manpower.co.za.
Warning: count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable in /home/gwdhmoih/public_html/templates/gk_news2/html/com_k2/templates/default/item.php on line 176
Gary Watkins
Gary Watkins
Managing Director
BA LLB
C: +27 (0)82 416 7712
T: +27 (0)10 035 4185 (Office)
F: +27 (0)86 689 7862
Website: www.workinfo.comRelated items
- The development of a talent management framework for the private sector
- Retention of women accountants: The interaction of job demands and job resources
- Class and race shape how young South Africans access the job market
- Facebook’s Amazing Talent Management Practices — and What You Must Learn From Them
- Regina Hartley: Why the best hire might not have the perfect resume
Latest from Gary Watkins
- National and Regional Economically Active Population Profile QLFS Q3:2021
- National and Regional Economically Active Population Profile QLFS Q2:2021
- Consolidated Directions on Occupational Health and Safety Measures in certain workplaces as at 11 June 2021
- COVID19TERS Benefits as at 20 July 2021
- Adjusted Level 3 Lockdown - 25 July 2021