A new report from recruiting group Michael Page has highlighted a strong demand for specific professional skills in South Africa, pointing out that global companies are poaching experienced South African staff, while local employers seek equally talented candidates.
Michael Page Africa, a UK-based division of PageGroup, recruits managers and senior executives on the African continent.
Based on data captured by the group from job postings and feedback from consultants, it has compiled a new report on the most in-demand skills and experience needed within various sectors in South Africa.
Banking and financial services industry
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Internal audit manager
2. Main trader
3. Senior Relationship Manager
4. Business Development Manager: Insurance
5. Head of operations: Collegiate insurance brokers
6. Corporate finance: mergers and acquisitions
With an increased focus on hiring people who can influence business revenue, business development managers, who specialize in insurance, wealth, and banking, have become popular within the job market. Companies have also been actively seeking candidates for management or “administrative roles” to cope with “increasing revenue and opening up new sectors,” according to the report.
engineering and manufacturing
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Head of Engineering
2. Project managers
3. Quality Assurance and Control Manager
4. Product Manager
The report identifies key trends toward a customer-centric manufacturing industry and a shift toward quality assurance and control to “develop superior products” and ensure high levels of productivity. As such, there has been an increased demand for quality assurance and quality control managers.
Additionally, the industry has faced challenges including a shortage of experience and talent in industries like project management, which can be seen in the increased demand for positions such as project managers and product supervisors.
Finance and accounting
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Business Finance Manager and Controller
2. Tax-oriented roles
3. Finance Manager
4. Head of Finance
5. Regional and African experience
Employers have also begun looking for candidates who have both accounting and technical backgrounds.
The report also identified the need for “regional and African expertise” through simplification among African countries. As a result, such simplification can create a “greater sense of responsibility” in the marketplace, as well as greater interaction between business professionals and stakeholders to understand finance.
legal industry
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Internal commercial corporate advice
2. Compliance officer and manager
3. Fintech, IT and ICT lawyer
4. Lawyer specializing in corporate mergers and acquisitions and banking and finance
5. Company secretary and corporate governance professional
6. African legal advice
The increase in demand for technology skills within the legal industry is important in the context of South Africa, according to the report, where “South Africa is a trading hub for external growth both domestically and continentally.” There has also been a growing need for cross-border partnerships between companies. on the continent, which is related to the growing demand for African legal advice.
Other in-demand jobs include compliance professionals to understand whether companies have failed or succeeded in complying with relevant legal provisions, such as the Personal Information Protection Act (POPI).
The report has also identified challenges such as skills shortages in the sector, which have been exacerbated by mass emigration for international opportunities outside of South Africa by potential job candidates.
Purchasing and supply chain
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Supply chain planning
2. Demand Planner
3. Purchasing Manager
4. Logistics manager
5. Plant supervisors
Purchasing and supply chain is one of the most demanding and challenging industries for potential job candidates. According to the report, due to global pressures on the supply chain, it has become challenging to find candidates who want to fill the positions.
Other in-demand skills include warehouse management and supply chain planning. These skills are necessary to provide sufficient supplier planning and production planning to meet customer needs.
Sales and Marketing
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Business Development Manager
2. Digital Marketing Manager
3. Marketing Manager
4. Marketing Manager
5. Key Account Manager – National
As new businesses enter the market, new industry positions have been created for business development managers, sales managers and sales managers, according to the report. Technological and digital advancements in the industry have also seen increased demand for enterprise sales positions and candidates who are adept at fast-paced work, are agile, and have data analytics expertise.
Technology
These are the most in-demand jobs according to the report:
1. Cloud computing
2. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
3. Data scientist
4. Software development
5. Cybersecurity
6. Business analysis
As one of the fastest growing industries within South Africa, the need for technology skills is growing as companies continue to use data in daily decisions. The increasing use of data has also led to an increased demand for cybersecurity.
