THE skills shortage in the construction, infrastructure and bulk services sectors is likely to constrain growth in the commercial and industrial property sectors, says strategist and change management specialist Tony Manning.
Manning, who will speak on infrastructure challenges and the property sector at the 39th annual convention of commercial property association Sapoa at Sun City in May, says SA has “developed a very dangerous belief that anyone can do anything”.
“Rebuilding our capability base and growing it to meet future demands will take a decade or more,” he says. “Much may be going very well, but a lot is going very badly.”
He says a recent South African Institution of Civil Engineering study found that of 231 municipalities, more than a third had no civil engineers, technologists or technicians.
“There are more than 1000 unfilled vacancies for engineers in local government.”
Lack of skills means infrastructure will continue to degrade.
“Major projects such as the Gautrain and the 2010 stadiums are drawing huge numbers of skilled professionals away from works projects and private construction.
“Vital skills are also being sucked out of SA into places like Dubai.”
