Statistical evidence underscores skills crisis

CLIVE EMDON
THE BIGGEST challenge to the transport and logistics industries in South Africa is the shortage of skilled personnel. “They provide the critical links between the various activities in the economy,” says Professor Gerrie Prinsloo, deputy chairperson of the Department of Transport and Supply Chain Management at the University of Johannesburg. “This is particularly relevant to the globalisation of the South African economy and the need for the economy to continue to grow,” he said. Statistical evidence underscores the crisis, Prinsloo told FTW. He estimates the road transportation industry employs 1 million people directly. Some 400 000 drivers are employed to drive the 255 000 registered vehicles (of over a ton). Each is supported by 2½ to 3 administrative and technical support staff. “Add to them financial services, suppliers, component manufacturers, repair shops and government road transportation and the figure jumps to 2 million people. “Then add the airlines, shipping and railways and the figure is 3 million or more,” says Prinsloo. He says only four universities in South Africa supporting the country’s population of 50 million put out 1000 to 1 500 trained students in transport and logistics each year, while in the US a population of 270 million is supported by 1 000 training institutions producing tens of thousands of trained personnel.