The critical skills crisis intensifies according to recent survey

ABOUT 84% of South African of multinational and large companies are struggling to recruit the skilled professionals they need, a notable increase from 79% in 2024. This is according to Marisa Jacobs, Managing Director at Xpatweb, who says the talent search is intensifying across key sectors.

- DIEKETSENG MALEKE [e-mail]

SOUTH Africa's critical skills shortage has worsened, with 84% of companies now struggling to recruit qualified professionals, up from 79% last year.

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Jacobs notes that both formal qualifications and relevant work experience remain decisive in securing professionals for roles, particularly in engineering, ICT, healthcare, STEM education, media and marketing, and artisanal trades.

She emphasises that South Africa's economic growth depends on its ability to attract and retain top talent, especially as global competition for critical skills intensifies.

According to Jacobs, employers continue to report difficulty sourcing skilled professionals locally, with many citing challenges in finding candidates who possess the right combination of academic credentials and practical experience.

The 2025 Xpatweb Critical Skills Survey, based on responses from 381 verified employers across various sectors, reveals that although recent immigration reforms have eased some visa and work permit barriers, companies still face stiff competition in attracting highly skilled talent.

To remain competitive, the report recommends that South Africa streamline visa and work permit processes, align immigration policy with interna-

tional best practice, and position itself as a destination of choice for globally mobile professionals.

The survey outlines the specific experience and qualification levels sought by South African employers:

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