The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa that issues business and work permits has published new quotas.
The Department of Home Affairs in South Africa that issues business permits, work permits, life partner and spousal permits, retired permits and relatives permits has lately announced a new work permit allowance.
Designed to reflect the skills shortages that may be filled by immigrants hoping to move to South Africa.
Work permit allocation
South Africa understands the requirement to guarantee that industry and commerce has a route to the required skills in demand, even more so now with the huge investment taking place for the world cup in 2010.
South Africa has a first class education system and established labor force, it is known that in some businesses there is a talent shortage. To aid the migration process under the business permit category Home Affairs regularly reviews which professions are lacking and issues a quota work permit requirements document. This requirements document allows immigrants to apply for a quota work permit which in turn means the prospective immigrant can apply for a work permit prior to receiving an offer of employment, in essence easing the overall application process.
Which skills are being sought?
After much consultation between the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and feedback from the major South African companies, Home Affairs published the latest directory of wanting occupations this year. Potential immigrants looking for jobs in these occupations may apply for permits enabling them to work and reside in South Africa.
Reflecting the reality of economic growth in South Africa Home Affairs concentrates on technical and engineering skills. So much so that any Industrial engineer will qualify, but it is well worth to look at the skills in demand in detail.
Because public and private investments in nationwide projects immigrants with experience in the construction industry are most sought after. Among the quota occupations are Civil engineering technicians, CAD technicians, Draftsperson, Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers and technologists. Also in the manufacturing professions Home Affairs offers quotas for jobs such as Manufacturing Technicians, Mechanical Draughtsperson and Technicians, Hydraulics and Pneumatics Technicians, Mechanical Engineers, Quality Engineers and Inspectors, Pipeline Engineers and Refrigeration Engineers. In the aeronautic industry immigrants with experience such as Aeronautical Engineers, Avionics Engineers and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers are invited to apply for the quota work permit. In the electronics sector, South Africa requires staff that are qualified as Electrical and Electromechanical Technicians, Electronic Engineers. Electronics Technicians, Mechatronics Technicians, Autotronics and Electricians. Home Affairs has recently also requested certain artisans which can apply for immigration including precision metal workers and millwrights, boilermakers, coded welders, toolmakers, fitters and turners.
In other areas the Department has recognised the value of BPO for job creation and has included Call Centre and Contact Centre Managers under the quota system too. Among the organisation and information professionals notably positions for risk assessors, actuaries, statisticians, and economists are accessible for quota professions.
The mining industry is of equal value for the South African economy. This is demonstrated by Home Affairs as it offers immigrants in the professions Earth Science Technicians, Mining Engineering, Geologists and Geophysicists the option to get residence and work permits.
Other industrial skills covered are agriculture and forestry, biotechnology, pharmacology, astronomy, the chemical industry and food technology. South Africa seems to be suffering from a lack of talent among Jewellery Makers and Maths and Science Teachers.
Home Affairs will investigate if the proposed immigrant has the right qualifications as well as five years of work experience before offering a quota work permit for South Africa.
Stuart James is a Client Relationship Manager at
Intergate Immigration South Africa for information please visit www.south-africa-immigration.com
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