Mining industry experiences skills shortage

Business is booming for South Africa's mining, oil and gas industries. But, concerns are rife that a shortage of a wide range of skills could be a major obstacle for business growth and could slow down service delivery.

A shortage of skills in the mining industry has compelled the industry to consider the re-employment of retired engineers, metallurgists and geologists. The Chamber of Mines and the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) say that artisans and engineers from all disciplines are especially in high demand at the moment. This includes geologist, mechanics, electric and civil and industrial engineers.

Currently there are about 2 000 trainees on The Mining Qualifications Authority learnership programmers. The MQA CEO, Livhi Nengovhela, says 26% of the trainees are women.

Agency will help unemployed graduates
The Chamber of Mines, in partnership with mining companies, is establishing the Employment and Skills Development Agency. The agency will close the gap between unemployed graduates and mining companies.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has also made suggestions of its own regarding skills development. The union says that its membership data indicates that 50% of its members only have grade nine qualifications, while only 10% have technical or university qualifications.

Economists have previously predicted that skills shortage in the industry will grow from 8.1% in 2005 to 15.8% this year, but there are no accurate figures to confirm this. Industry bodies say they will get a proper view of the industry in 2009 when the mining charter will be reviewed to establish the industry's accomplishments and challenges.