This is according to Yershen Pillay , CEO of CHIETA , the chemical industries Seta . Pillay says CHIETA is constantly working to address this mismatch and the resulting skills gaps across the board – but that the issue needs greater engagement by all relevant participants in government , private sector , and training institutions , in order to impact South Africa ’ s high level of unemployment . " South African companies are faced with importing skills from Europe and Asia because specific and high-quality welding skills are in scarce supply . In South Africa , we do not lack general welding skills , we have a sufficient supply of welders to meet the demand , what we lack are specific types of welding skills such as underwater welding and aluminium coded welding where demand far outstrips the supply ,” explains Pillay .
It is becoming clear that digital savvy artisans are also in short supply . South Africa needs a pool of digitally savvy artisans such as mechanical fitters who understand the fundamentals of coding as the factory floor becomes increasingly automated and digitised .
TOP 10 SKILLS IN DEMAND The current top 10 professional skills in demand identified in CHIETA ’ s stakeholders ’ workplace skills plans in 2022 include : 1 . Chemical engineer 2 . Mechanical engineer
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This list does not take future skills needs into account .
SMMES AND START-UPS In terms of specific skills in demand
Digital savvy artisans are especially in short supply .
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among SMMEs and start-ups in the chemical industry , a recent study by CHIETA revealed a skills gap in management coaching , management and entrepreneurial skills , and mentorship . These incorporate agility , governance , innovation , leadership , performance management , R & D leadership , numerical , packaging , problem solving , programming , project management , communication , negotiating , and marketing .
DIGITAL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CHIETA ’ s skills development initiatives are increasingly being designed to address specific
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skills mismatches , and a focus area for CHIETA is digital skills development . Pillay says , “ The more our wider skills development shifts from traditional to digital skills training , the more likely it will be to see an increased absorption of trainees and artisans by industry .”
An initiative within this category is CHIETA ’ s smart skills centre programme , which is bridging the digital skills divide by taking training directly to rural communities . The first smart skills centre which will open in Saldanha Bay , Western Cape this year is aimed at providing access to basic digital skills in 4IR-related occupations to local communities . CHIETA is investing a further R50m in smart skills centres across the country by 2025 .
CHIETA ’ s efforts to deliver relevant and quality training in line with the needs of the chemical industry sectors is continuing through a range of offerings and funding windows , which include work integrated learning ( WIL ), bursaries and learnerships .
CLOSE THE GAPS Pillay notes , “ We remain committed to maintaining a stakeholder-centric approach to our evolving skills development initiatives , and to strengthening our capacity to adapt to the rapid pace of change in skills needs within our industry . At the same time , we strongly encourage wider engagement between all stakeholders , government , other SETAs , and training institutions across the board to ensure that closing scarce skills gaps is contributing to job creation in SA .” CLA
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