Critical Skills beyond 2023

"The mandate of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development (DALRRD) includes developing agricultural value chains, providing agricultural inputs, monitoring production and consumption in the agriculture sector, as well as facilitating comprehensive rural development."

Some of the careers and critical skills to reach these goals are :

• Agricultural Engineer
• Agricultural Scientist
• Forestry Technician
• Sheep Shearer

The construction industry is responsible for the development and maintenance of infrastructure and transport. It is a highly regulated industry with plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy being creative. The Department of Public Works and Transport plays a major role in legislation and regulations relevant to the control of the industry.

The careers and critical skills needed in this industry include :

• Architect
• Construction Project Manager
• Land Surveyor
• Quantity Surveyor
• Urban and Regional Planner

Entrepreneurship and the development of big businesses to fulfill the supply and demand of consumers, export products, and contribute to building a sustainable economy are of critical importance for any country. The so-called 'third economy' comprises many small businesses and the skills needed by entrepreneurs of small and micro businesses are essential to eliminate poverty over the longer run.

Careers and critical skills needed to enable these businesses to grow, include :

• Actuaries and Risk Assessors
• Business Analyst
• Corporate General Manager
• Customer Service Manager/Team Lead
• External Auditor
• Financial Investment Advisor
• Quality Analyst
• Quality Assurance Specialist/Auditor

Information systems and especially the development of AI create new opportunities and careers at a very fast speed.

Skills in demand in this area, include :

• AV Specialists (Anti-virus)
• CISCO Solution Specialist
• CISCO Engineers
• Data Analysts
• Data Centre Operations
• Database Specialists
• Enterprise Architecture
• Foreign Language speakers for specialist language support and technical or sales (German, Swiss
• German, Flemish, Greek, Swedish, Danish, Italian, Dutch, Spanish, Mandarin and French)
• Integrated Developers (PHP, Perl, Java )
• IT Security Specialist
• Network Analyst
• Network Specialist (Security)
• Microsoft System Engineers
• Network Controllers
• Desktop support Engineer

• Software Development Engineers and Managers
• Systems Architects, Engineers and Managers
• Solutions Architects in Telecommunications and ICT
• System Integration Specialist

Engineering and manufacturing resorts under the Merseta, with some other critical skills falling under the Construction Seta.

There are a host of skills that are needed in this field :

• Air Conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
• Automotive Electrician
• Automotive Motor Mechanic
• Boiler Maker
• Electrical Engineer
• Electrical Engineering Technologist
• Electrical Installation Inspector
• Electronics Engineer
• Energy Engineer
• Energy Engineering Technologist
• Metallurgical Engineer
• Chemical Engineer
• Chemical Engineering Technologist
• Civil Engineer
• Civil Engineering Technologist
• Diesel Mechanic
• Electronics Engineering Technologist
• Fitter and Turner
• Geologist
• Industrial and Production Engineers
• Industrial Designer
• Manufacturing Managers
• Materials Engineer
• Materials Engineering Technologist
• Mechanical Engineer
• Mechanical Engineering Technologist
• Mechatronics Technician
• Metal Fabricator
• Metallurgical Engineering Technologist
• Mining Engineer
• Mining Engineering Technologist
• Research and Development Manager
• Ship’s Engineer
• Telecommunications Engineers
• Physical and Engineering Science Technicians
• Pressure Welder
• Structural Plaster
• Toolmaker

The health system have an unsatisfying appetite for skills of which some are in demand accross the world.

Particular skills shortages in the industry include :

• General and Specialist Medical Practitioners
• Hospital Pharmacists
• Medical Superintendent/Public Health Manager
• Nursing Professionals
• Public Health Physician
• Registered Nurse (child and family health)
• Retail Pharmacist
• Veterinarian

There is an intense focus on environmental practices and conservation and a strong drive to decrease plastic pollution an properly manage the environment.

Particular skills shortages in the industry include :

• Acquatic Scientist
• Advanced Composites Engineering
• Animal Scientist
• Archaelogical / Paleontological Specialist
• Environmental Engineers
• Environmental Manager
• Industrial Pharmacist
• Bioeconomist
• Biochemists
• Bioinformatician
• Bioinformaticist
• Biological Scientist
• Botanical Scientist
• Chemical Scientist
• Computational Biologist
• Engineering Geologist
• Environmental Scientist
• Ecological Scientist
• Food Scientist
• Geochemist
• Geohazards Specialist
• Geologist
• Geophycist
• Laboratory Technologist and Technician
• Marine Bioscientist
• Materials Scientist
• Metallurgical Scientist
• Metrology
• Microbiological Scientist
• Polymer Scientist
• Protein Scientist
• Seismologist
• Soil Scientist
• Toxicology Scientist
• Water Resource Scientist

There is sufficient scope for those who are interested in research and development to join the teams or to pilot a research project.

Particular skills shortages in the industry include :

• Researchers Doctoral Graduates (Acquired abroad)
• Research in any of the following areas:
• Galaxy Formation and Evolution
• Galaxy Structure and Dynamics
• Pulsars and Black Holes
• Pulsars and Gravitational Waves
• Deep Observations of the earliest Radio Galaxies
• Dynamic and Transient Bursts
• VLBI Operations
• Search for CO to investigate role of Molecular Hydrogen
• Deep Surveys of Neutral Hydrogen Gas in the Early Universe
• Cosmology and Dark Energy
• Cosmic Magnetism
• Calibration and Imaging of Radio Interferometer data
• Pulsars Research
• Pulsars and Gravitational Waves
• VLBI Operations
• Signal Processing
• Observational Radio Astronomy in General
• Algorithm for Radio Astronomy
• Signal Processing for Radio Astronomy
• Supercomputing for Radio Astronomy
• Software Development for Radio Astronomy
• Data and Streaming – Real -Time Processing of Massive Data Amounts
• Green Computing – Extreme Performance at Minor Energy Costs
• Performance at Minor Energy Costs
• EMC and Spectrum Management
• Beam Modelling
• Antenna Modelling
• Feeds for Radio Astronomy Systems
• Receivers for Radio Astronomy Systems
• Signal Processing for Radio Astronomy
• High Speed Data Transport
• Nano-photonics – Data Transport Power
• Nanotechnology
• Palaeosciences
• Reduction over Short and Long distances
• Antenna Design
• Antenna Foundation Design
• RFI Shielded Buildings and Facilities
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Space Science and Technology
• Global Change
• Energy Security
• Information Communication Technology
• Earth Observation
• Natural and Applied Sciences

Trade tests can be done at various centers across the country.

Particular skills shortages in the industry include :

• Boilermaker (for Strategic Infrastructure Projects)
• Double Coded Welder
• Industrial Machinery Mechanic
• Millwright
• Moulder
• Pipe Fitter
• Raise-bore Operators
• Raise-bore Foreman
• Rigger