Exploration of the methods used by civil engineering organisations in South Africa to overcome the problems presented by the skills shortage

South Africa is currently experiencing a shortage of skilled personnel, especially in the civil engineering sector. There are currently approximately 15,000 civil engineering professionals in South Arica with estimates indicating that between 3,000 and 6,000 vacancies exist. The reasons for the shortage include: lack of proper mathematics and science education, emigration and early retirement. The purpose of this research study is to investigate the extent of the skills shortage in the civil engineering consulting industry, the effect that it is having on the abilities of consulting civil engineering organisations in South Africa to execute projects successfully and the remedial action they have taken to alleviate this problem. The survey results indicate that organisations are resorting to `headhunting´ to fill their vacancies and that engineers are using this head hunting approach to their own advantage to ensure the best salaries for themselves. This however does not solve the long term problem. Training of the current workforce is the preferred method to alleviate the skills gap. Increased remuneration, staff bonuses and promotions are used to retain their current workforce, while increased recruitment activities, staff referral bonuses, increased remuneration and immigrants are used to alleviate staff recruitment difficulties. In the short term, work is being outsourced, non-technical staff members are better utilised and staff members are encouraged to work longer hours.