The mining industry in particular has been drawing attention to the shortage of skills and the critical need to close the skills gap, which has been exacerbated by yet another emigration wave that has hit South Africa.
Judging by the adjectives being used, the current situation is dire. Many are reporting that skills retention has become gruelling and report that other countries are benefiting from the professional skills that have been part subsidised by South African taxpayers. Those companies that have developed internal leadership and trainee programmes should be specially rewarded by the fiscus at this time, as such initiatives invariably benefit the country as a whole.
Vocational education and training colleges and universities need to strive for maximum visibility at this time. But, most importantly, South Africa must become a country of choice, otherwise there will be no end to the loss of essential capacity.