Managers and sales staff were among the big movers in Statistics South Africafs labour force survey for the period March 2003-2006. œ Managers (private & public) increased by 20% from 710 000 to 850 000. Professionals increased by 10% from 550 000 to some 600 000, the entire gain taking place in the last year. œ Technical and associate professionals have barely increased by 4% or 40 000 to 1.2 million (and again the gain is concentrated in the last year). œ Clerks have increased by 10% from 1.1 to 1.2 million, with the increase concentrated in 2003, and very little in 2004 and 2005. œ The sales force jumped by 270 000 or over 20% from 1.3 to 1.6 million and reasonably spaced. œ Skilled agricultural workers increased by 50% from 0.4 to 0.6 million. œ Craft/trades increased by 300 000 or over 20% from 1.4 to 1.7 million, in line with management and sales. œ Plant operators dropped by 100 000 from 1.2 to 1.1 million. gThis presumably reflects the march of technology (embedding more skill into machines) and our deindustralisation," says FNB chief economist, Cees Bruggemans.
