Digging S.Africa's engineering skills paucity

South Africa's civil engineering sector plays a crucial role in the country's infrastructure development, but it is currently facing a significant skills shortage. This shortage is exacerbated by an ageing workforce and the emigration of professionals. Anthony Clothier, the 2024 President of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SISE), shed light on these challenges in a recent interview on CNBC Africa. Clothier highlighted the current state of the engineering sector in South Africa, particularly focusing on civil engineers. According to Clothier, SISE has 15,000 members, making it the largest voluntary association in the country. However, there is a disparity between the number of students graduating from university with a civil engineering degree and the demand for such professionals in the industry. Currently, there are about 5,350 students studying civil engineering in South African universities, with approximately 20% of them expected to graduate each year. Clothier noted that the lack of infrastructure projects has led to a decrease in employment opportunities for civil engineers, creating a mismatch between supply and demand in the industry. South Africa faces a challenge in producing an adequate number of engineering graduates compared to other emerging markets. While countries like India and China have a higher output of engineering graduates, South Africa operates at a ratio of one engineer per 3,000 people, significantly lower than the global standard of one engineer per 300 people. Despite efforts to address diversity and inclusion in the engineering field, there are still significant disparities. SISE has implemented initiatives such as the Women in Leadership Program and webinars on diversity to promote inclusivity within the profession. Clothier highlighted the importance of fostering diversity and gender inclusivity in civil engineering, acknowledging that progress is being made at the university level. In addition to the skills shortage and diversity challenges, civil engineers in South Africa are also grappling with issues of corruption and intimidation in the construction sector. Clothier expressed concerns about the rising threats and violence faced by engineers from construction mafias targeting local spending quotas set by the government. These criminal groups resort to intimidation tactics, including violence and threats against engineers and their families, to extort money from construction projects. The pervasive corruption and intimidation in the industry have raised ethical concerns for engineers, jeopardizing public safety and quality standards on construction sites. Despite efforts by the police and local authorities to address security issues, the construction sector remains vulnerable to criminal activities, impacting the retention of critical engineering skills in the country. The challenges faced by the civil engineering sector in South Africa call for coordinated efforts by government, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions to address the skills shortage, promote diversity, and combat corruption to ensure sustainable infrastructure development and a skilled workforce for the future.