SA Recruiters are Now Looking for These Critical Skills

More than 77% of organisations struggle with recruiting critical skills in South Africa, competing overseas with industries facing similar employee shortages. Here are the most sought-after critical skills that will increase your chances of getting hired.

The latest Xpatweb Critical Skills Survey 2020/21 listed the following ten categories of skills and qualifications needed in South Africa. These roles are usually difficult to fill due to a severe lack of experienced professionals, often due to the local ‘brain drain’ reality.

• Engineering (18%)
• Information and Communication Technology (13%)
• Foreign language speakers (10%);
• Media and Marketing Specialists (9%);
• Artisans (8%);
• C-Suite Executives (7%);
• Senior Financial Executives (6%);
• Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences (5%);
• Science Professionals (4%)
• Accounting (1%).

High demand for engineering and ICT roles

Engineers and ICT professionals continue to be in the highest demand as more companies transition into the digital economy following the COVID-19 disruptions and choose to expand their African operations.

These skills are currently harder to find due to the increasing migration of skilled professionals overseas, which puts more pressure on finding relevant local talent. South Africa is competing with markets such as the US, Australia and the UK in these sectors.

In particular, recruiters are looking for qualified mechanical engineers (26%), maintenance engineers (18%), chemical engineers (13%) and industrial engineers (14%) to work on various local and cross-border projects.

As for qualified IT professionals, whose skills remain in short supply in SA, the most sought-after roles include IT application developers (11%), data analysts (10%), data scientists (9%), software developers (9%) and software engineers (8%).

Professional Sourcing has extensive recruitment experience in the engineering and ICT industries. Contact us about opportunities available in these sectors.

Search for leadership roles and foreign skills

The global rise in remote working and online collaboration highlights recruiters’ interest in professionals with international experience and valuable skills required in global markets.

For example, organisations may seek foreign-language speakers, translators and interpreters in diverse sectors, from education and technology to business and finance. However, these language skills are particularly hard to find locally.

According to the critical skills survey, the most in-demand foreign languages are French (29%), German (18%), Mandarin (14%), Italian (10%), Spanish (10%) and Dutch (4%).

Demand for C-suite executive roles and senior financial leadership roles is also on the increase. Preference is given to highly-skilled candidates with extensive niche market experience, regional or international, in competitive markets such as business, finance, ICT, manufacturing and mining.

The top sought-after key leadership positions mentioned in the critical skills survey are Chief Operating Officer (24%), Chief Financial Officer (24%), Chief Executive Officer (19%) and Chief Technology Officer (19%).

Other critical skills included on the list are defined by top-tier accountancy roles such as Chartered Accountant (CA), tax professional, financial accountant, forensic accountant, external auditor and internal auditor.

Professional Sourcing specialises in executive placements within the African continent. Get in touch to find out more about current C-suite vacancies.

Professional Sourcing can assist with the recruitment process during and after the pandemic. Our team has a strong reputation for recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. Visit prosourcing.co.za for more info.

Professional Sourcing can assist with the recruitment process during and after the pandemic. Our team has a strong reputation for recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas.

Professional Sourcing can assist with the recruitment process during and after the pandemic. Our team has a strong reputation for recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. Visit prosourcing.co.za for more info.

Professional Sourcing has a strong reputation for highly developed recruitment expertise within our specialisation areas. We develop strong long-term relationships with our loyal clients. Allow us to help you deal with your frustrations of a lengthy hiring process.

Professional Sourcing is a top-tier South African-based recruitment agency operating internationally, IPM accredited, LEVEL 2 BEE RATED and 51% Black Owned.