CHAMBER: EXPLOSIVES AND FERTILISERS

SUBSECTOR: FERTILISERS

MARCH 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................1

1.1 BACKGROUND........................................................................................................................1

1.2 FORMAT OF THE SUBSECTOR SKILLS PLAN............................................................................2

1.3 SCOPE OF THE SUBSECTOR....................................................................................................1

2 PROFILE OF THE SUBSECTOR.........................................................................................................3

2.1 ORGANISATIONS IN THE SUBSECTOR....................................................................................4

2.1.1 EMPLOYERS....................................................................................................................4

2.1.1 EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS.............................................................................................5

2.1.2 INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS..............................................................................................5

2.1.3 TRADE UNIONS..............................................................................................................6

Please Note:

The CHIETA developed subsector skills plans for the first time in 2013/2014, to achieve the mandate of the Chambers in terms of schedule 9(a) of the SDA 97 of 1998; to consult with the 9 sub-sectors of the Chemical Sector in areas of skills development and planning. The objective of such consultation is to compile a SSP for the sector that takes into consideration areas of skills demand, and skills supply.

The CHIETA subsector skills plans are a great start but will continue to be strengthened going forward as work in progress with particular emphasis on detailed planning.

2.2 EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY THE SUBSECTOR....................................................................6

2.2.1 TOTAL EMPLOYMENT....................................................................................................6

2.2.2 EMPLOYMENT IN THE SUBSECTOR..................................................................................

2.2.3 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS....................................................................................9

2.2.4 AGE..............................................................................................................................11

2.3 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................13

3 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FACTORS IMPACTING ON THE SUBSECTOR......................................14

3.1 ECONOMIC GROWTH...........................................................................................................14

3.2 FACTORS THAT IMPACT ON THE SECTOR.............................................................................15

3.3 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................16

4 THE DEMAND FOR SKILLS IN THE SUBSECTOR.............................................................................17

4.1 TRENDS IN EMPLOYMENT....................................................................................................17

4.2 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................21

5 THE SUPPLY OF SKILLS TO THE SUBSECTOR.................................................................................22

5.1 NEW SKILLS.......................................................................................................................22

5.2 THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYEES................................................22

5.3 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................24

6 SKILLS SHORTAGES......................................................................................................................25

6.1 SCARCE SKILLS IN THE SUBSECTOR......................................................................................25

6.2 CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................26

7 SKILLS PLAN FOR THE SUBSECTOR...............................................................................................27

REFERENCES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….28

ANNEXURE 1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…….30

ANNEXURE 2……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………32

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LIST OF TABLES

Table 1-1 Scope of the Fertilisers Subsector..........................................................................................2

Table 2-1 Levy-paying companies and WSP submissions according to subsector.................................4

Table 4-1 Managers in the Fertilisers Subsector.................................................................................18

Table 4-2 Professionals in the Fertilisers Subsector............................................................................18

Table 4-3 Technicians and associate professionals in the Fertilisers Subsector..................................19

Table 4-4 Clerical support workers in the Fertilisers Subsector..........................................................19

Table 4-5 Skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers in the Fertilisers Subsector.............................................................................................................................................20

Table 4-6 Plant and machine operators and assemblers in the Fertilisers Subsector.........................20

Table 4-7 Elementary occupations in the Fertilisers Subsector..........................................................21

Table 5-1 Training opportunities for employees in the Fertilisers Subsector: March 2012................23

Table 6-1 Scarce skills in the Fertilisers Subsector: March 2012.........................................................26

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1 Total employment in the Chemical Sector...........................................................................7

Figure 2-2 Employment type.................................................................................................................7

Figure 2-3 Race distribution of employees...........................................................................................8

Figure 2-4 Gender distribution of employees........................................................................................8

Figure 2-5 Percentage employees with disabilities per subsector: March 2012....................................9

Figure 3-1 Average percentage change of Gross Value Added: 1970-2020: Basic chemicals.............15

Figure 4-1 Employment: Occupations.................................................................................................17

Figure 5-1 Proportion of employees who received training opportunities according to occupational category: March 2012..........................................................................................................................23

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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ABET Adult Basic Education and Training

AECI African Explosives and Chemicals Industry

ATR Annual Training Report

Aglime Agricultural Lime

B Eng Bachelor of Engineering

BSc Eng Bachelor of Science in Engineering

B Tech Bachelor of Technology

Capex Cape Explosives

CHIETA Chemical Industries Sector Education and Training Authority

CEPPWAWU Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union

CPD Continuing Professional Development

DBE Department of Basic Education

DHET Department of Higher Education and Training

DEA Department of Environmental Affairs

DoL Department of Labour

dti Department of Trade and Industry

ECSA Engineering Council of South Africa

EE Employment Equity

EU European Union

FET Further Education and Training

FMCG Fast Moving Consumer Goods

FSSA Fertiliser Society of South Africa

GDP Gross Domestic Product

GET General Education and Training

GIWUSA General Industries Workers Union of South Africa

HEI Higher Education Institution

HEMIS Higher Education Management Information System

HET Higher Education and Training

HETC Higher Education and Training Certificate

HR Human Resources

ICT Information Communications Technology

IOF Indian Ocean Fertilisers

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IPAP Industrial Policy Action Plans

NDP National Development Plan

NGP New Growth Path

NPC National Planning Commission

NPO Non Profit Organisation

NQF National Qualifications Framework

NSC National Senior Certificate

NSDS National Skills Development Strategy

OFO Organising Framework of Occupations

PG Dip/Cert Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate

QLFS Quarterly Labour Force Survey

R&D Research and Development

RPL Recognition of Prior Learning

SACWU South African Chemical Workers Union

SARB South African Reserve Bank

SARS South African Revenue Services

SDA Skills Development Act

SET Science, Engineering and Technology

SETA Sector Education and Training Authority

SHE&Q Safety, Health, Environment and Quality

SMME Small, Medium and Micro-sized Enterprises

SSP Sector Skills Plan

Stats SA Statistics South Africa

UASA United Association of South Africa

UoT University of Technology

WSP Workplace Skills Plan

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Introduction

The Chemical Sector Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) consists of five chambers that represent the nine subsectors of the Chemical Sector. Skills planning is a core function of all SETAs and according to CHIETA’s constitution, this function cascades down to its constituent chambers. The chambers are (among other things) responsible to consult with the nine subsectors in areas of skills development and planning.

In 2013 the CHIETA developed subsector skills plans for each of the nine subsectors. These documents provide detailed analyses of each of the subsectors and are meant to assist the respective chambers in skills planning and to reflect the skills needs of and skills planning for each of the subsectors.

In June 2013 nine workshops were held with representatives of each of the nine subsectors. The workshops were meant to inform the subsector skills plans. Apart from the workshops, the subsector skills plans are also based on a detailed analysis of the workplace skills plans (WSPs) and annual training reports (ATRs) submitted to CHIETA by employers in the sector in June 2012. Further information was obtained from desktop research and national data sources such as national accounts data.

This subsector skills plan deals with the Fertilisers Subsector. The subsector comprises the activities surrounding the manufacture and distribution of fertilisers in South Africa.

Profile of the subsector

The Fertilisers Subsector is one of the oldest components of the South African Chemical Sector and it evolved through the discovery and invention of some key materials and processes, and the application these processes on an industrial scale.

The main role-players in the Fertilisers Subsector are private companies (employers), industry associations, employer associations and trade unions.

In the 2011/2012 financial year there were 89 levy-paying companies in the subsector, which formed 5.8% of levy-paying companies in the Chemical Sector as a whole. Employers in the Fertilisers Subsector form part of the employers’ organisations in the Chemical Sector as a whole such as the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) and specifically of the Fertilisers Industry Employers’ Association.

The Fertiliser Society of South Africa (FSSA) is an industry organisation which represents the interests of the fertiliser and agricultural lime (aglime) industries in South Africa. Employees in the Fertilisers Subsector belong to the main trade unions active in the Chemical Sector, namely Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU), General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), Solidarity, South African Chemical Workers Union (SACWU) and United Association of South Africa (UASA).

In March 2012 the Fertilisers Subsector employed just more than 5 600 people – 3.6% of the employees in the total Chemical Sector. Most employees in the Fertilisers Subsector (94.5%) were employed permanently, while 1.6% were working as contractors and 3.9% were temporary workers.

The majority of workers in the Fertilisers Subsector were African (59.2%), while Coloured workers accounted for 3.9% of the employees, Whites for 31.1% and Indians for 5.9%. Females constituted a quarter (25.1%) of the workforce. Only 0.4% of the workers in the subsector were people with disabilities.

A total of 36.6% of employees held qualifications at a NQF Level 4 and over a third (39.9%) held post-school qualifications. Only 4.4% had very limited schooling and had not reached NQF Level 1.

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The average age for employees in the Fertilisers Subsector in 2011/2012 and 7% of all workers in the subsector were close to retirement.

The economic performance of the subsector

There is no economic data available for the Fertilisers Subsector as such. The economic data that is available showed that the basic chemicals industry (of which fertilisers form part) outperformed the total Petroleum, Chemical and Glass Sector/Subsectors and the total economy for most of the 1970-2010 period.

It seems that drivers of growth relate to the demand for products from the local agricultural industry, demand arising from exports markets, as well as the sufficient supply of raw materials from the mining industry. It is also expected that development and investment in the Chemical Sector as a whole will have an impact on the Fertilisers Subsector.

The demand for skills in the subsector

In 2011/2012 26.1% of the employees in the subsector were employed as plant and machine operators and assemblers, followed by technicians and associate professionals (21.0%). Elementary workers formed 15.1% of employees in the subsector, managers 12.9% and clerical support workers 8.9%. Skilled and trades workers only constituted 5.2% of the workforce and services and sales workers only 0.6%.

Occupations in the production field that were in demand ranged from engineers and production supervisors to chemical plant controllers and chemical production machine operators. In the sales field occupations such as marketing practitioners, sales representatives and sales clerks were in demand.

The supply of skills to the subsector

The supply of skills to the subsector is constrained by an inadequate (in terms of quantity and quality) supply of school leavers with mathematics and physical science passes that can pursue studies to become scientists, engineers, technologists and technicians (at HET level) and artisans (at FET level); and inadequate education of the general workforce that enters the Chemical Sector without previous training. The supply of new skills from the FET sector into the Chemical Sector has traditionally been very limited. However, Government’s recent focus on increasing both the quality and quantity of output from FET colleges may have an effect on the future role that these institutions will play in skills supply to the Chemical Sector.

There has been substantial growth in the numbers of new graduates from universities and universities of technology in certain engineering fields. However, increases have not yet been sufficient to meet the needs of the national economy and the Chemical Sector in particular.

Companies in the Chemical Sector are involved in a range of training and development initiatives that focus on developing the skills of their employees. In 2011/2012 training opportunities were afforded to 76% of employees in the subsector in total. In total 9 692 training opportunities were afforded to employees.

Skills shortages

CHIETA attempts to glean an understanding of skills shortages in the Chemical Sector by asking employers to identify these shortages when they submit their mandatory grant applications to the SETA. Of the 23 organisations in the Fertilisers Subsector who submitted applications, 8 indicated that they experienced a scarcity of skills. The total number of people needed to fill the vacancies that existed at that time in these organisations is 38; this equates to 0.7% of total employment in the subsector.

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Skills plan for the subsector

During the workshop, stakeholders referred to the following with respect to skills planning in future: the role of ECSA in distinguishing between the roles and responsibilities of engineering technicians, technologists and professional engineers; the need to provide workplace experience opportunities for FET college and university of technology students; the need for a guideline in terms of the matching of qualifications with occupations; the lack of career guidance; and the application of RPL.

The last chapter of this subsector skills plan needs to be completed once the Explosives and Fertilisers Chamber has engaged with this document and has developed strategies aimed specifically at this subsector.

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND

The Chemical Sector Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) consists of five chambers that represent the nine subsectors of the Chemical Sector. The five chambers are:

Petroleum and Base Chemicals Fast Moving Consumer Goods and Pharmaceuticals Explosives and Fertilisers Speciality Chemicals and Surface Coatings Glass.

Skills planning is a core function of all SETAs and according to CHIETA’s constitution, this function cascades down to its constituent chambers. According to the CHIETA constitution the chambers are (among other things) responsible to consult with the nine subsectors in areas of skills development and planning. The ultimate objective of such consultation is to compile a SSP for the Chemical Sector that takes into consideration areas of skills demand, skills supply, and scarce and critical skills as they manifest in the respective subsectors and a strategic plan that addresses the needs of the total Chemical Sector and its subsectors.

In 2013 the CHIETA developed subsector skills plans for each of the nine subsectors. These documents provide detailed analyses of each of the subsectors and are meant to assist the respective chambers in skills planning and to reflect the skills needs of and skills planning for each of the subsectors.

In June 2013 nine workshops were held with representatives of each of the nine subsectors. The workshops were meant to inform the subsector skills plans and covered the following topics:

• The skills planning process and chambers’ responsibilities in this regard.• The profiles of the subsectors.• Economic growth of the subsectors and factors that influence the growth of the subsectors.• The demand for skills in the respective subsectors.• The supply of skills and supply-side challenges and constraints.• Skill shortages.• Key interventions taking place and needed in the respective subsectors.

Apart from the workshops, the subsector skills plans are also based on a detailed analysis of the workplace skills plans (WSPs) and annual training reports (ATRs) submitted to CHIETA by employers in the sector in June 2012. In 2012 employers for submitted individual employee records to CHIETA. For the purpose of this report, the data were weighted to extrapolate it to subsectoral totals.

Further information was obtained from desktop research and national data sources such as national accounts data. (National accounts data series were obtained from Quantec.)

1.2 SCOPE OF THE SUBSECTOR

This subsector skills plan deals with the Fertilisers Subsector. The subsector comprises the activities surrounding the manufacture and distribution of fertilisers in South Africa. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that are applicable to the Fertilisers Subsector are listed in the table below.

1

The scope includes the following: Production of organic fertiliser; manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds; and manufacture of raw materials and chemical compounds used in agriculture.

Table 1-1 Scope of the Fertilisers Subsector

SIC Code Scope of Coverage/Description

11600 Production of organic fertiliser

33420 Manufacture of fertilisers and nitrogen compounds

33421 Manufacture of raw materials and chemical compounds used in agriculture

1.3 FORMAT OF THE SUBSECTOR SKILLS PLAN

Chapter 2 provides a profile of the subsector. This profile includes the most important organisations in the subsector, as well as the employees working in the subsector.

Chapter 3 deals with the economic performance of the subsector and the factors that influence its performance. These factors include Government interventions specifically aimed at stimulating the growth of the Chemical Sector.

Chapter 4 of this subsector skills plan focuses on the demand for labour. The demand for labour is analysed from the perspective of the occupations that make up the subsector. The occupational information in turn provides insight into the type and level of skills needed.

Chapter 5 describes the supply of skills. As the subsector shares in the broader supply of skills to the Chemical Sector as a whole and to the total South African labour market, it is not possible to give a detailed analysis of supply as it would meet the demand for skills in the subsector. Instead a broad overview of supply trends are given together with supply-side interventions and constraints as identified by subsector representatives in the workshops.

Chapter 6 hones in on the mismatches that exist between the demand and supply sides of the labour market. Typically, these mismatches manifest in skills shortages and in skills deficiencies in the current workforce.

The last chapter of the sector skills plan should include the strategic planning of skills interventions aimed specifically at this subsector. This chapter will be completed once the Explosives and Fertilisers Chamber has engaged with the content of the report and has attended to its own strategic plan.

2

2 PROFILE OF THE SUBSECTOR

2.1 INTRODUCTION

The history of fertilisers revolves around the discovery and invention of some key materials and processes, and applying these processes on an industrial scale.1 The industry in South Africa began in 1903 when the South African Fertiliser Company (SAFCO) commissioned the establishment of the first phosphate plant. Initially animal bones were used as raw material, until development in the mining industry led to the production of explosives. A by-product of explosives production, sulfuric acid, was subsequently used in fertiliser production. This led to the commissioning of the Kynoch plant in Umbogintwini in 1919 and Cape Explosives (Capex) in Somerset West in 1921.

The industry grew significantly after the First World War when factories that produced ammonia and synthetic nitrates for explosives were converted into nitrogen-based fertiliser plants. Kynoch and Capex merged in 1924, functioning under the name AE&E and in 1944 the name changed to African Explosives and Chemicals Industry (AECI).

In the 1950s Foskor developed the apatite deposit in Phalaborwa and the SASOL oil-from-coal plant came on stream. This meant that raw materials became more readily available and the Fisons and Windmill fertiliser factories were built at Sasolburg, as well as the Bosveld factory at Phalaborwa.

Omnia started the distribution of agricultural lime (aglime) in 1953 and established its first factory in Sasolburg in 1968. Three liquid fertiliser factories subsequently opened in Hectorspruit, Dryden and Danielsdrift and a second plant was built in Sasolburg after this. A phosphoric acid plant followed in Phokeng near Rustenburg.

Triomf established its first factory in 1967 in Potchefstroom and a second one in Richards Bay in the 1970s. In the 1980s the Richards Bay plant was taken over by Indian Ocean Fertilisers (IOF), which focused on production for the export market.2

Bulk formulated chemicals are formulated products compounded from high volume commodity-based chemicals, including explosives and fertilisers. The major players in the South African fertiliser manufacturing industry are Foskor, Omnia and Sasol Nitro. There are also around 20-30 smaller fertiliser manufacturers including bulk blenders such as Plaaslike Boeredienste, and smaller blenders and organic fertiliser manufacturers such as Atlas Organic Fertilisers and Agrofert.3 Thus there was a progression in the fertiliser industry from a small number of large-scale enterprises to the fertiliser industry adapting to accommodate small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs).

Historically, fertilisers were transported by rail all over South Africa, but there has been a shift over the past period to use road transport. The main reasons for the shift include the unavailability of rail services, the need to deliver large volumes over short periods and the costs of handling from road transport to rail and then back to road transport for distribution to farms.4

1 HLS Tandon, A Short History of Fertilisers. http://www.tandontech.net/fertilisers.html. Accessed 24 May 2013.2Chemical Industries, History of the Fertiliser Industry. http://www.sasol.com/learners/html/learner-sheets/F/LS_F2.pdf. Accessed 23 May 2013.3 Van Zyl, R. (2008). South African Chemical Sector Report on Skills Development and the Government’s New Economic Policy Priorities, March 2008.4 Fertiliser Production and Distribution. http://www.ldrt.gov.za/application/freight_transport_databank/lim/industries/fertiliser/index.html . Accessed 23 May 2013.

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2.2 ORGANISATIONS IN THE SUBSECTOR

The role-players in the Fertilisers Subsector are private companies (employers), industry associations, employer associations and trade unions.

2.2.1 EMPLOYERS

In the 2011/2012 financial year there were 89 levy-paying companies in the Fertilisers Subsector, which formed 5.8% of levy-paying companies in the Chemical Sector as a whole (see Table 2-1). Only 23 of these companies submitted WSPs in 2012. The levy contribution of the 89 companies is 8.2% of the total levies paid in the Chemical Sector.

Table 2-2 Levy-paying companies and WSP submissions according to subsector

Subsector Number of

Levy-paying

companies

% WSP

submissions

% of total

companies

in sector

% of total

companies

in subsector

% of total levies paid

Base Chemicals 314 20.4 127 8.2 40.4 13.2

Explosives 7 0.5 2 0.1 28.6 1.8

Fertilisers 89 5.8 23 1.5 25.8 8.2

FMCG 162 10.5 72 4.7 44.4 3.5

Glass 124 8.0 19 1.2 15.3 5.4

Petroleum 251 16.3 85 5.5 33.9 43.2

Pharmaceuticals 131 8.5 64 4.2 48.9 12.9

Speciality Chemicals

266 17.3 113 7.3 42.5 7.9

Surface Coatings 118 7.7 60 3.9 50.8 3.5

Other 80 5.2 6 0.4 7.5 0.4

Total 1 542 100.0 571 37.0 100.0

Source: SARS Levy data, 2011/2012; WSP data, 2012.

Five of the 89 companies are categorised as large (employing 150 and more people), 19 as medium (employing between 50 and 149 people), another 19 as small (employing between 20 and 49 people) and 46 as micro (employing between 1 and 19 people) (see Table 2-2).

Table 2-2 Size of levy-paying companies that submitted WSPs

Size Levy-paying companies WSP submissions

N % N % of levy-paying companies

4

Large 5 5.6 4 80

Medium 19 21.3 9 47.4

Small 19 21.3 7 36.8

Micro 46 51.7 3 6.5

Total 89 100 23 25.8

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

2.2.1 EMPLOYER ASSOCIATIONS

Employers in the Fertilisers Subsector form part of the employers’ organisations in the Chemical Sector as a whole such as the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA) and specifically of the Fertilisers Industry Employers’ Association. The South African chemical industry is represented by the Chemical and Allied Industries’ Association (CAIA), which has 172 members including chemical manufacturers, traders and industry service providers. Members are mainly large and medium size companies from base chemicals, fertilisers, plastics in primary form, pesticides and other agricultural products, explosives and speciality chemicals. CAIA’s primary goals are to promote responsible care, earn public trust for the chemical industry, improve the efficiency of its efforts, support education initiatives in science, engineering and technology and create maximum value for member companies. The association interacts with a number of employer bodies, the Chemical Industries Education & Training Authority (CHIETA), various professional societies and other associations representing subsections of the industry.5

2.2.2 INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

The Fertiliser Society of South Africa (FSSA) is a registered non-profit organisation, which represents the interests of the fertiliser and agricultural lime (aglime) industries in South Africa. Membership currently comprises 20 companies, of which two are operating in Zimbabwe and are Zimbabwean owned.

FSSA promotes the agro-economic and environmentally accountable fertiliser and aglime practices and promotes positive public awareness and acceptance of the need for fertiliser and aglime use in food production. FSSA also focuses on environmental challenges within which its constituent industries operate in a spirit of free enterprise and fair trade. FSSA provides a discussion forum for its members and other parties on all aspects relating to fertiliser and aglime distribution; it provides agronomic advice and quality control, as well as information about its constituent industries through conferences, symposia and workshops. FSSA publishes reports on fertiliser and aglime consumption, statistics and disseminations of conference proceedings. FSSA revises and maintains the Fertiliser Society's Fertiliser Handbook and other FSSA publications relating to soil fertility enhancement and fertiliser guidelines. The association also liaises with governmental institutions, organised agriculture and research organisations on fertiliser and soil fertility related matters.6

2.2.3 TRADE UNIONS

The following are the main trade unions active in the Chemical Sector:7

Chemical, Energy, Paper, Printing, Wood and Allied Workers Union (CEPPWAWU)

5 http://www.icca-chem.org/Home/About-us/Members-of-the-ICCA/?country=za. Accessed 23 May 2013.6 http://www.fssa.org.za/. Accessed 23 May 2013.7 CHIETA, Five year Sector Skills Plan for the Chemical Sector: Annual update 2013-2018.

5

General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA)

Solidarity

South African Chemical Workers Union (SACWU)

United Association of South Africa (UASA)

These trade unions are all active in the CHIETA structures and the first four are members of the National Bargaining Council for the chemical industry.

2.3 EMPLOYEES REPRESENTED BY THE SUBSECTOR

2.3.1 TOTAL EMPLOYMENT

Figure 2-1 below shows the total employment in the Chemical Sector on 31 March 2012. The Fertilisers Subsector employed just more than 5 600 people – 3.6% of the employees in the total sector (Figure 2-1).

Base Chemicals 14.4% (22 466)

Explosives3.4% (5 287)

Fast Moving Consumer Goods15.2% (23 794)

Fertilisers3.6% (5 651)Glass

5.1% (8 002)

Petroleum28.4% (44 371)

Pharmaceuticals 14.2% (22 100)

Speciality Chemicals9.9% (15 381)

Surface Coatings5.3% (8 261)

Other0.5% (786)

Figure 2-1 Total employment in the Chemical Sector

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

2.3.2 TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT

In 2011/2012 most employees in the Fertilisers Subsector (94.5%) were employed permanently, while 1.6% were working as contractors and 3.9% were temporary workers (Figure 2-2).

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Contractor1.6% (90)

Permanent94.5% (5 341)

Temporary3.9% (219)

Figure 2-2 Employment typeSource: WSP submissions, March 2012.

2.3.3 EQUITY PROFILE OF THE SUBSECTOR

Race and gender

The majority of workers in the Fertilisers Subsector were African (59.2%). Coloured workers accounted for 3.9% of the employees and Whites 31.1%. Indians constituted 5.9% of the workforce (Figure 2-3). In terms of gender, females constituted a quarter (25.1%) of workers (Figure 2-4).

African 59.2%

(3 343)

Coloured3.9% (218)

Indian5.9% (335)

White31.1%

(1 755)

Figure 2-3 Race distribution of employeesSource: WSP submissions, March 2012.

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Female25.1% (1 417)

Male74.9% (4 233)

Figure 2-4 Gender distribution of employeesSource: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Annexure 1 reports the race and gender distribution across the different occupational categories. Africans were well represented in all the occupational categories except for managers and professionals. The total proportion of Africans employed in management positions was only 13.1% and professionals 26.0%. Half of professionals, and service and sales workers respectively and 53.6% of clerical support workers were females.

Disability

There are 892 employees with disabilities working in the Chemical Sector. This equates to 0.6% of all employees in the sector. Figure 2-5 below displays the proportion of disabled employees by subsector. The Glass Subsector has the highest proportion of disabled employees (1.1%) compared to 0.4% in the Fertilisers Subsector.

Stakeholders noted that it is difficult to employ disabled people (depending on their disability) in certain occupations due to health and safety requirements. It is particularly difficult in key production occupations. However, there was an acknowledgement that more effort needs to be made to identify those occupations in which people with disabilities can be employed and to recruit people with disabilities for these occupations. In addition, CHIETA will work with stakeholders on training around disability awareness. CHIETA is supporting projects aimed at people with disabilities through the discretionary grants.

8

Base Chem

icals

Explosiv

es

Fast M

oving C

onsumer Goods

Fertilise

rsGlas

s

Petroleu

m

Pharmace

uticals

Speci

ality

Chemica

ls

Surfa

ce Coati

ngsOther

,0.0

,0.2

,0.4

,0.6

,0.8

,1.0

,1.2

0.7%

0.9%

0.3%

0.4%

1.1%

0.6%0.5%

0.6%

0.4%

0.3%

Figure 2-5 Percentage employees with disabilities per subsector: March 2012

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

2.3.4 EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

In the 2012 WSP submissions employers provided information on the qualifications of the workers employed in the Fertilisers Subsector. Regrettably a total of 2 781 employees’ qualification levels were not identified. Based on the information that was available, 36.6% of employees held a qualification at a NQF Level 4 and only 4.4% had very limited schooling and had not reached NQF Level 1. Over a third (39.9%) held post-school qualifications (Table 2-3).

Table 2-3 Highest qualifications of employees in the Fertilisers Subsector

NQF Level N %

Below NQF Level 1 127 4.4

NQF Level 1 58 2.0

NQF Level 2 412 14.4

NQF Level 3 77 2.7

NQF Level 4 1 051 36.6

NQF Level 5 184 6.4

NQF Level 6 284 9.9

NQF Level 7 366 12.8

9

NQF Level N %

NQF Level 8 193 6.7

NQF Level 9 80 2.8

NQF Level 10 38 1.3

Total 2 870 100.0

Undefined 2 781Total subsector employment 5 651Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Of the workers with undefined educational attainment 36.5% worked as plant and machine operators and assemblers, 18.3% worked as technicians and associate professionals, 15.3% were in elementary occupations and about a tenth were in management positions (Table 2-4).

Table 2-4 Unidentified qualifications of employees in the Fertilisers Subsector

Occupation N %

Managers 252 9.1

Professionals 152 5.5

Technicians and associate professionals 509 18.3

Clerical support workers 233 8.4

Service and sales workers 16 0.6

Skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers 151 5.4

Plant and machine operators and assemblers 1 015 36.5

Elementary occupations 425 15.3

Learners 28 1.0Total 2 781 100.0Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

2.3.5 AGE

The average age for employees in the Fertilisers Subsector in 2011/2012 was 40. About a third (32.2%) were categorised as Youth (younger than 35), while a tenth (10.4%) were between 55 and 64. The data also showed that the oldest contingent of workers was skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers. Their average age was 42. Seven per cent of all workers in the subsector were close to retirement. When looking at the occupational categories individually it seems that about 10% of managers and clerical support workers respectively were close to retirement. The subsector needs to plan for the replacement of these workers sufficiently.

10

Table 2-5 Age distribution of employees per occupational category in the Fertilisers Subsector

Occupations

Age groups

Total Average age

Close to retirement

(55-60)15-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64 65+

N % N % N % N % N % N % N % N %

Managers1 0.2 94 13.0 287 39.

9211 29.

4109 15.

117 2.4 719 100.0 44 67 9.3

Professionals 3 0.5 171 29.5 237 40.9

104 18.0

58 10.1

6 1.0 579 100.0 40 37 6.4

Technicians and associate professionals

11 1.0 322 27.5 413 35.4

284 24.3

115 9.8 24 2.1 1 169 100.0 41 89 7.6

Clerical support workers 10 2.1 153 31.0 161 32.6

99 20.0

59 12.0

11 2.2 493 100.0 41 50 10.1

Service and sales workers 0.0 9 27.2 15 46.5

6 19.5

2 6.8 0.0 32 100.0 38 2 6.8

Skilled related trades workers 3 0.9 74 25.6 106 36.6

74 25.5

31 10.6

2 0.7 290 100.0 42 20 6.8

Plant and machine operators and assemblers

35 2.4 537 36.9 477 32.8

271 18.6

130 9.0 5 0.3 1 455 100.0 39 95 6.5

Elementary occupations 31 3.7 304 36.2 257 30.5

161 19.1

85 10.1

3 0.4 841 100.0 39 51 6.1

Learners 14 19.4 48 68.3 9 12.2

0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 71 100.0 28 0 0.0

TOTAL 108 1.9 1 712 30.3 1 962 34.7

1 210 21.4

589 10.4

68 1.2 5 649 100.0 40 411 7.3

Undefined 3Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

11

12

2.4 CONCLUSION

The fertilisers industry of South Africa is relatively old, but remains a relatively small component of the chemical industry in South Africa. The subsector is described in terms of its evolution and its products.

The Fertilisers Subsector employed only 3.6% of all workers in the Chemical Sector. In terms of equity just over half of workers were African, females constituted a quarter of the workforce, and 0.4% of employees lived with a disability. Africans were well represented in all the occupational categories except for managers and professionals. Females were also well represented in the professional, service and sales workers, and clerical support categories. The oldest contingent of workers was artisans with an average age of 42.

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3 ECONOMIC GROWTH AND FACTORS IMPACTING ON THE SUBSECTOR

This section looks at the economic performance of the Chemical Sector as a whole, as well as the Fertilisers Subsector in particular. It also provides information on the factors that impact on the industry.

3.1 ECONOMIC GROWTH

The global chemical industry has grown with output valued at USD171 billion in 1970 to USD4.12 trillion in 2010. Projections show that the industry will follow global GDP for the next couple of years. The expectation is that by 2020 developing countries will be responsible for almost a third (31%) of global chemical production. Annual chemical production growth rates for Africa and the Middle East are predicted to be just over 6% per year through 2013, and over 5% per year from 2014 to 2021.8

The South African fertiliser industry is exposed to the world market with deregulated trade and no import or export tariffs. On average around 2 million tons of fertiliser is sold per year. There has been a decline of involvement from Government in the industry, which allows for greater freedom of trade and a drop in tariffs, but also the exclusion of subsidies.9 There is no industry specific economic data for the fertiliser industry in South Africa. The most relevant economic data includes the activities of the basic chemicals industry.

Figure 3-1 below reports the average percentage change in GDP for the basic chemicals industry over five year periods from 1970 to 2010 in comparison with the total Petroleum, Chemical and Glass Sector/Subsectors, as well as the total economy. It also shows the projections up to 2020. The data shows that for certain periods between 1970 and 2010, the basic chemicals industry outperformed the Petroleum, Chemical and Glass Sector/Subsectors, as well as the total economy. However, the projected figures show a negative average growth of 0.4%, which is significantly lower than the projected growth levels for the Petroleum, Chemical and Glass Sector/Subsectors, as well as the total economy for the 2010-2015 period. An increase to an average of 3.3% for the 2015-2020 period is projected.

8 United Nations Environment Programme, (2013). Global Chemicals Outlook - Towards Sound Management of Chemicals. UNEP: www.unep.org. 9 Van der Linde, G. The Current Status of the Fertiliser industry in South Africa. http://www.iasa.co.za/downloads/symposium/2009/Current%20status%20of%20the%20fertiliser%20industry%20in%20South%20Africa_Dr%20G%20van%20der%20Linde.pdf. Accessed 23 May 2013.

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1970

-197

5

1975

-198

0

1980

-198

5

1985

-199

0

1990

-199

5

1995

-200

0

2000

-200

5

2005

-201

0

2010

-201

5

2015

-202

0

-1.0%

0.0%

1.0%

2.0%

3.0%

4.0%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

Basic chemicals Total petroleum, chemicals & glassTotal economy

Figure 3-6 Average percentage change of Gross Value Added: 1970-2020: Basic chemicalsSource: Quantec data, July 2013.

3.2 FACTORS THAT IMPACT ON THE SECTOR

Some of the major factors that impact on the subsector are the demand for fertilisers from the agricultural industry, the sufficient supply of raw materials from the mining sector, Government policies and plans for the Chemical Sector, and legislation and regulations. One of the key factors that created a a reformation of the fertiliser industry in South Africa was the removal of controls and subsidies.

The demand for fertilisers from the agriculture sector is key to the performance of the industry and some 2.5 to 3 million tons are used by the South African agriculture industry every year. The fertiliser and agricultural sectors received substantial governmental support until the 1980s. The exclusion of controls and subsidies accelerated a reformation of the fertiliser industry in South Africa. Some fertiliser plants closed, resulting in a rise in fertiliser imports. Financial constraints and a reduction in farmable land resulted in a 37% fall in the use of phosphate fertilisers. This was slightly remedied by a gradual increase in nitrogen use. A great amount of research has been done to determine fertiliser requirements for crops in South Africa. Fertiliser manufacturers provide a technical service to farmers through sales representatives and technical support staff. The proper use of fertilisers along with other recommended practices could have a substantial impact on agricultural productivity.10

10 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (2005). Fertiliser use by crop in South Africa, First version. Rome: FAO.

15

The activities of the mining industry also have an influence on the Fertilisers Subsector, as the industry is reliant on the supply of mined raw materials (such as phosphate rock) in order to manufacture the necessary fertilising products. South Africa’s fertiliser industry is well established and products are sold domestically, as well as internationally. The export market is therefore an important driver of growth and 500 000 to 800 000 tons are exported annually. Some of the destination countries are Japan, Brazil and Australia.11

The South African Government’s developmental strategy aims to promote and accelerate economic growth along a path that generates sustainable, decent jobs in order to reduce poverty and inequalities that characterise South African society and economy. The National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) is a central component of this strategy. The NIPF seeks to encourage value-added, labour-absorbing industrial production and diversify the economy away from its current over reliance on traditional commodities and non-tradable services, in order to conduce employment growth. Broader based industrialisation will assist in growing participation of people in the mainstream of the industrial economy.12 Furthermore, the Industrial Policy Action Plan IPAP 2013/14-2015/16 outlines initiatives to leverage South Africa’s resource wealth into a beneficiation effort that can turn around the country’s unsustainable dependence on the export of unprocessed commodities, while at the same time providing a competitive advantage to domestic manufacturing. The Chemical Sector is one of the strategic IPAP sectors.13 However, the specific programmes that form part of IPAP 2013/14-2015/16 are not specifically directed at the Fertilisers Subsector.

Due to the nature of the activities in the Fertilisers Subsector it is subjected to the standard legislation and regulations in terms of occupational health and safety, and environmental conservation and management. There is no legislation relating to the subsector specifically.

3.3 CONCLUSION

The economic data that is available showed that the basic chemicals industry (of which fertilisers form part) outperformed the total Petroleum, Chemical and Glass Sector/Subsectors and total economy for most of the 1970-2010 period. It seems that drivers of growth relate to the demand for products from the agricultural industry, as well as the sufficient supply of raw stock from the mining industry. It is also expected that development and investment in the Chemical Sector as a whole will have an impact on the Fertilisers Subsector.

11 http://www.ldrt.gov.za/application/freight_transport_databank/lim/index.html. Accessed 25 May 2013.12 dti, (2010). A South African Trade Policy and Strategy Framework.13 IPAP, (2013). Industrial Policy Action Plan: Economic Sectors and Economic Cluster. IPAP 2013/14 – 2015/16. Pretoria: dti.

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4 THE DEMAND FOR SKILLS IN THE SUBSECTOR

This section looks at the demand for skills in the Fertilisers Subsector. It shows the trends in employment, as well as the occupational composition of demand in the subsector.

4.1 TRENDS IN EMPLOYMENT

In 2011/2012 26.1% of the employees in the subsector were employed as plant and machine operators and assemblers, followed by technicians and associate professionals (21.0%). Elementary workers formed 15.1% of employees in the subsector, managers 12.9% and clerical support workers 8.9%. Skilled and trades workers only constituted 5.2% of the workforce and services and sales workers only 0.6% (Figure 2-4).

Managers12.9% (719)

Professionals10.4% (579)

Technicians and associate professionals21.0% (1 169)

Clerical support workers8.9% (494)

Service and sales workers0.6% (31)

Skilled agricultural, trade worker, etc.

5.2% (290)

Plant and machine opera-tors and assemblers

26.1% (1 456)

Elementary occupations15.1% (841)

Figure 4-7 Employment: Occupations

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Occupations in each of the eight main occupational groups in the Fertilisers Subsector with a count of 10 or higher are shown in the following tables (Table 4-1 to 4-8). Specialist titles used by employers for these occupations are provided in Annexure 2.

For managers, the occupation with the largest number of employees was production/operations managers (manufacturing) followed by engineering managers, sales managers, finance managers, supply and distribution mangers, and sales managers. This clearly reflects the manufacturing and sales activities in the industry. Other types of management positions that are also in demand relate to research and development, marketing, storage and distribution (warehouse and logistics managers), and numerous HR practices (Table 4-1).

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Table 4-3 Managers in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Managers N

132102 Production/Operations Manager (Manufacturing) 92132104 Engineering Manager 72122102 Sales Manager 61121101 Finance Manager 60132401 Supply and Distribution Manager 58122101 Sales and Marketing Manager 48122301 Research and Development Manager 41121901 Corporate General Manager 40132201 Production/Operations Manager (Mining) 38112101 Director (Enterprise/Organisation) 31132404 Warehouse Manager 20121908 Quality Systems Manager 15121201 Personnel/Human Resource Manager 15122103 Director of Marketing 14133102 ICT Project Manager 13121206 Health and Safety Manager 11132402 Logistics Manager 10Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Sales representatives (medical and pharmaceutical products) formed the largest number of employees in the professionals category, followed by safety, health, environment and quality (SHE&Q) practitioners. Engineers working in the industry included industrial engineers and chemical engineers (10). Some of the other professionals also in demand were agricultural scientists, marketing practitioners and chemists (Table 4-2).

Table 4-4 Professionals in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Professionals N

243302 Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products) 106226302 Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHE&Q) Practitioner 43241101 Accountant (General) 38213202 Agricultural Scientist 36243103 Marketing Practitioner 36214101 Industrial Engineer 27242401 Training and Development Professional 18243102 Market Research Analyst 17251101 ICT Systems Analyst 17242303 Human Resource Advisor 16242101 Management Consultant 15213110 Medical Scientist (Clinical Research Associate) 15252201 Systems Administrator 14

18

OFO Code

Professionals N

211301 Chemist 14242211 Internal Auditor 13213201 Agriculture Consultant 12243301 Sales Representative/Salesman (Industrial Products) 10214501 Chemical Engineer 10Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

The largest number of employees in the technicians and associate professionals category were c hemical plant controllers followed by production/operations supervisors (manufacturing). Sales representatives (personal and household goods) were also in demand. The subsector also employed chemical and agricultural technicians, as well as mechanical and electrical engineering technicians. Export activities in the industry were inter alia reflected in the employment of import-export administrators (Table 4-3).

Table 4-5 Technicians and associate professionals in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Technicians and associate professionals N

313301 Chemical Plant Controller 287312201 Production/Operations Supervisor (Manufacturing) 178332203 Sales Representative (Personal and Household Goods) 147332207 Chemical Sales Representative 78311101 Chemistry Technician 75314201 Agricultural Technician 69332302 Purchasing Officer 59334102 Office Administrator 35311501 Mechanical Engineering Technician 30333905 Supply Chain Practitioner 29311401 Electronic Engineering Technician 26312202 Maintenance Planner 26334302 Personal Assistant 19335402 Import-export Administrator 17332201 Commercial Sales Representative 11Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Among the clerical support workers component the majority of employees were general clerks. Typical clerical support occupations in the Fertilisers Subsector included dispatching and receiving clerks/officers, stock clerks/officers, production coordinators, accounts clerks and warehouse administrators (Table 4-4).

Table 4-6 Clerical support workers in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Clerical support workers N

411101 General Clerk 168432102 Dispatching and Receiving Clerk/Officer 78432101 Stock Clerk/Officer 56

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OFO Code

Clerical support workers N

432201 Production Coordinator 35431101 Accounts Clerk 35412101 Secretary (General) 29441905 Account Clerk (Public Relations/Communication) 25432104 Warehouse Administrator/Clerk 13422601 Receptionist (General) 12Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Central to manufacturing is the component skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers. Fitter and turners formed the largest group of tradespersons in the Fertilisers Subsector, followed by mechanical fitters. Other trades workers were instrument mechanicians, welders, electricians, boilermakers and millwrights (Table 4-5).

Table 4-7 Skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code Skilled agricultural, forestry, fishery, craft and related trades workers N652302 Fitter and Turner 61653303 Mechanical Fitter 53672105 Instrument Mechanician 31651202 Welder 31671101 Electrician 23651302 Boilermaker 21671202 Millwright 15Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Packaging manufacturing machine minders formed the majority of plant and machine operators and assemblers in the subsector. Chemical production machine operators were also in demand. Some of the other crucial occupations in this category were forklift drivers, filling line operators, truck drivers and delivery drivers.

Chemical production machine operators formed the majority of plant and machine operators and assemblers in the subsector. Truck drivers and machine operators were also in demand. Some of the other crucial occupations in this category were delivery drivers, forklift drivers, packing machine operators and engineering production systems workers (Table 4-6).

Table 4-8 Plant and machine operators and assemblers in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Plant and machine operators and assemblers N

713101 Chemical Production Machine Operator 842733201 Truck Driver (General) 136716104 Dairy Products Machine Operator 120732101 Delivery Driver 98734402 Forklift Driver 56718302 Packing Machine Operator 41734206 Loader Operator 34718905 Engineering Production Systems Worker 30

20

OFO Code

Plant and machine operators and assemblers N

718907 Weighbridge Operator 12733208 Mobile Mining Equipment Operator 12734101 Agricultural Mobile Plant (Equipment) Operator 12734201 Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) 10Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

Elementary occupations most common in the Fertilisers Subsector were chemical plant workers and component fitters. Some of the other key occupations in this category were freight handlers, store persons and metal engineering process workers (Table 4-7).

Table 4-9 Elementary occupations in the Fertilisers Subsector

OFO Code

Elementary occupations N

832907 Chemical Plant Worker 309832910 Component Fitter 100832903 Timber and Wood Process Worker 84833402 Store Person 72833301 Freight Handler (Rail or Road) 67832901 Metal Engineering Process Worker 52832905 Footwear and Leather Factory Worker 35862918 Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant 27811201 Commercial Cleaner 25832101 Packer (Non Perishable Products) 11831301 Builder's Worker 10821301 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker/Assistant 10831101 Mining Support Worker 10

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

There were 11 sales assistants (general), the only occupation listed under the service and sales workers category.

4.2 CONCLUSION

Due to the nature of the subsector, close to half of the workforce worked as plant and machine operators and assemblers, and technicians and associate professionals. Another 15% worked in elementary occupations and a tenth as professionals. The main activities of the subsector relate to production and sales. Occupations in the production field that were in demand ranged from engineers and production supervisors to chemical plant controllers and chemical production machine operators. In the sales field occupations such as marketing practitioners, sales representatives and sales clerks were in demand. The Fertilisers Subsector has to compete with the other subsectors in the Chemical Sector for the mentioned skills.

21

22

5 THE SUPPLY OF SKILLS TO THE SUBSECTOR

The supply of skills is viewed from different perspectives in this section. The supply of skills refers in the first instance to new entrants to the labour market from basic education, FET colleges and HET institutions (new skills). However, it is also important to consider the skills needs of the current workforce and the training initiatives aimed at developing their skills levels.

The first part of this chapter deals with new entrants to the labour market. Key trends and supply-side constraints are highlighted. The second part of the chapter describes the inputs of employers to train their current staff.

5.1 NEW SKILLS

The output from the school system remains a concern in respect of the following: inadequate (in terms of quantity and quality) supply of school leavers with mathematics and physical science passes that can pursue studies to become engineers, technologists and technicians (at HET level) and artisans (at FET level); and inadequate education levels of the general workforce that enters the Chemical Sector without previous training. The supply of new skills from the FET sector into the Chemical Sector has traditionally been very limited. However, Government’s recent focus on increasing both the quality and quantity of output from FET colleges is an indication of the future role that these institutions can play in skills supply to the Chemical Sector.

The demand for labour in the Chemical Sector has been declining steadily over the last two decades, with investments in capital equipment being largely used to replace labour. This reduction in employment has mainly impacted on low-skilled and semi-skilled workers. The demand for high-level skills remains in the sector. In respect of the supply of new skills to the sector there has been substantial growth in the numbers of new graduates from universities and universities of technology in certain engineering fields. In terms of average annual output for national diplomas, growth is reported at 7% for diplomas in chemical engineering and technology and 6% for first degrees in the same field. Despite these positive growth trends, increases have not yet been sufficient to meet the needs of the national economy and the Chemical Sector in particular. In order to ensure future growth it will be necessary to support higher education institutions through a variety of initiatives. These include: bridging programmes to promote access and success; increased physical and teaching resources to engineering departments; and programmes that promote workplace training opportunities for students from the universities of technology.

5.2 THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF EMPLOYEES

Companies in the Chemical Sector are involved in a range of training and development initiatives that focus on developing the skills of their employees. Such initiatives not only supplement, but also build on the training that supplies new skills to the sector. This training and development of the current workforce forms a critical source of skills supply. The graph below shows that the Fertilisers Subsector has invested in training quite extensively. In 2011/2012 training opportunities were afforded to 76% of employees in the subsector in total. Proportionally technicians and associate professionals received the most training and services and sales workers the least. Large contingents of employees in the other occupational categories were also trained (Figure 5-1).

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0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0Pe

rcen

tage

Figure 5-8 Proportion of employees who received training opportunities according to occupational category: March 2012

In total 9 692 training opportunities were afforded to employees (one employee can have access to more than one training opportunity). The type of training opportunities is listed in the table below. The majority of these opportunities were short courses (45.4%) and induction training (34.0%). Ten percent of training opportunities related to skills programmes. There were also training opportunities for employees that related to work placement and job specific development programmes (Table 5-1).

Table 5-10 Training opportunities for employees in the Fertilisers Subsector: March 2012

Qualification/learning type N %Short Course 4 403 45.4Induction and other training 3 298 34.0Skills Programme 1 027 10.6Work Placement 444 4.6Job Specific Development Programme 354 3.7Below NQF Level 1 73 0.8Learnership 46 0.5NQF Level 1 11 0.1NQF Level 4 10 0.1NQF Level 7 8 0.1NQF Level 8 7 0.1CHIETA Learning Programme 4 0.0NQF Level 6 4 0.0

24

NQF Level 9 3 0.0Total 9 692 100.0Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

5.3 CONCLUSION

This chapter provided a short overview of the most pertinent supply-side issues relevant to the Fertilisers Subsector. For any industry a constant and sufficient supply of suitably qualified people is of critical importance. For the Fertilisers Subsector, that is heavily reliant on plant and machine operators and assemblers, and technicians and associates, it is important that people obtain relevant qualifications and that their skills are continuously upgraded. The WSP submissions for 2012 showed that employers invested huge amounts of time and money in the training and development of their own staff. Despite the initiatives to build the skills base of the industry and to stimulate and support the supply-side of the labour market, certain skills deficiencies still remain. These are the subject of the next chapter.

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6 SKILLS SHORTAGES

There are various ways of identifying and monitoring skills shortages in a particular labour market. One of these is to ask employers about their experiences when recruiting people for positions in their organisations. Another way is by monitoring vacancy rates in that sector, because skills shortages are bound to lead to unusually high vacancy rates. Skills shortages will also drive up the costs of the skills that are in short supply and therefore the monitoring of remuneration trends can shed light on trends in relation to skills shortages.

CHIETA attempts to glean an understanding of skills shortages in the Chemical Sector by asking employers to identify these shortages when they submit their mandatory grant applications to the SETA. This information was requested for the first time in June 2011 – i.e. in the WSPs submitted for the 2011/2012 financial year. The information submitted by employers in the Fertilisers Subsector is analysed in this chapter. In addition, the feedback of stakeholders during the subsector workshops is also reported.

It has become customary in South Africa to use the term “scarce skills” to refer to quantitative shortages in the labour market – in other words there are not enough people with the necessary qualifications available to be appointed in positions that become available in the market. This term is also used in this chapter. Another aspect of skills shortages has to do with the qualitative components of the labour market – there may be people available to appoint, but they do not have the appropriate skills, abilities or other attributes that employers are looking for. Skills deficiencies can also develop among the workers that are already employed, because of the introduction of new technologies, new legislative requirements, etc. These aspects are not discussed at this stage as they are generally taken care of by employers through in-service training.

6.1 SCARCE SKILLS IN THE SUBSECTOR

As mentioned above, the information on scarce skills was obtained by analysing the WSPs submitted in June 2012. This information reflects the situation as experienced by employers at the end of March 2012.

In the scarce-skills table that employers completed, they first had to name the occupation in which they experienced scarcity, and then had to select from two possible descriptions the one that best described the scarcity they experienced – i.e. “relative scarce skill” (referring to a situation where people are available in the labour market, but cannot easily be attracted to the sector); and “absolute scarce skill” (where people are generally in short supply in the labour market). For all the occupations in which scarcity was experienced, employers also had to indicate how many vacant positions were available at the time they completed the WSP. In addition, they were requested to identify what type of learning interventions they were planning to use to address the skills shortages.

Of the 23 organisations whose WSPs were approved by the CHIETA, 8 indicated that they experienced a scarcity of skills. The number of people that employers said they would need can be seen in Table 6-1. The total number of people needed to fill the vacancies that existed at that time in these organisations is 38; this equates to 0.7% of total employment in the subsector. The data showed that trades workers such as instrument and control service persons are hard to find. Stakeholders also highlighted the dangers of ammonia, which requires special skills for handling and especially for containing accidental

26

spills.14 Employers indicated that they planned on using interventions such as job specific development programmes, skills programmes and mentorships to address the scarcity of skills.

Table 6-11 Scarce skills in the Fertilisers Subsector: March 2012

OFO Code Occupation Number of vacancies672105 Instrument and Control Service Person 18211301 Chemist 7651302 Boilermaker 3733201 Truck Driver (General) 3132104 Engineering Manager (Mining) 3652302 Fitter and Turner 2251101 ICT Business Systems Analyst 2Total 38% of employment in subsector 0.7Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

6.2 CONCLUSION

In 2012 employers were for the first time required to provide information on scarce skills in their WSP submissions. In total a relatively small percentage of employers reported that they experienced skills shortages. This leaves the impression that the subsector is not severely affected by skills shortages. Nevertheless, some evidence of shortages of skills of trade workers, professionals, plant and machine operators and assemblers, and managers was received.

The CHIETA is engaged in a range of partnerships, agreements and plans to contribute to both the development of new skills for the sector, as well as the development of skills within the existing workforce. These initiatives may serve to keep the development of serious skills shortages at bay.

14 Information provided at Fertilisers Subsector workshop, 20 June 2013, Johannesburg.

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7 SKILLS PLAN FOR THE SUBSECTOR

During the workshop, stakeholders referred to the following with respect to skills planning in future: the role of ECSA; the need to provide workplace experience opportunities for FET college and university of technology students; the need for a guideline in terms of the matching of qualifications with occupations; the lack of career guidance; and the application of RPL.

Stakeholders mentioned that both universities of technology and FET college students require in-service training (or relevant workplace experience) as part of the requirements to obtain their qualifications. Most often they struggle to get access to such opportunities and can therefore not attain their qualifications. The recommendation was that the CHIETA should play a facilitating role in engaging chemical industry employers in this regard.15

Stakeholders also indicated that the Fertilisers Subsector recognises engineering qualifications from universities, as well as universities of technology. However, it was noted that employers have to consider when an engineer is really needed as opposed to a technologist. This is not always easy. The need was expressed for guidelines regarding the matching of qualifications with occupations.

There is also a need for career guidance as a way to introduce the sector to future workers. The application of RPL was also mentioned as a tool that could enhance the skills flow into the sector.16

These are just some of the issues raised at the workshop. The chapter will be completed once the Explosives and Fertilisers Chamber has engaged with the content of the report and has attended to its strategic plan.

15 CHIETA Subsector Workshop Report, 20 June 2013.16 Information provided at Fertilisers Subsector workshop, 20 June 2013, Johannesburg.

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References

Chemical Industries, History of the Fertiliser Industry. http://www.sasol.com/learners/html/learner-sheets/F/LS_F2.pdf. Accessed 23 May 2013.

CHIETA, Five year Sector Skills Plan for the Chemical Sector: Annual update 2013-2018.

Van der Linde, G. The Current Status of the Fertiliser industry in South Africa. http://www.iasa.co.za/downloads/symposium/2009/Current%20status%20of%20the%20fertiliser%20industry%20in%20South%20Africa_Dr%20G%20van%20der%20Linde.pdf. Accessed 23 May 2013.

dti, (2010). A South African Trade Policy and Strategy Framework.

Fertiliser Production and Distribution. http://www.ldrt.gov.za/application/freight_transport_databank/lim/industries/fertiliser/index.html . Accessed 23 May 2013

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (2005). Fertiliser use by crop in South Africa, First version. Rome: FAO.

Government of South Africa, (2011). National Climate Change Response Paper. Pretoria: Government Printer.

HLS Tandon, A Short History of Fertilisers. http://www.tandontech.net/fertilisers.html. Accessed 24 May 2013.

IPAP, (2013). Industrial Policy Action Plan: Economic Sectors and Economic Cluster. IPAP 2013/14 – 2015/16. Pretoria: dti.

http://www.acts.co.za. Accessed 24 May 2013.

http://www.fssa.org.za/. Accessed 23 May 2013.

http://www.icca-chem.org/Home/About-us/Members-of-the-ICCA/?country=za. Accessed 23 May 2013.

http://www.labour.gov.za/legislation/acts/skills-development/skills-development-act-and-amendments. Accessed 25 May 2013.

http://www.lexisnexis.co.za. Accessed 23 May 2013.

http://www.novas.co.za/index.php/employer-associations. Accessed 23 May 2013.

Van Zyl, R. (2008). South African Chemical Sector Report on Skills Development and the Government’s New Economic Policy Priorities, March 2008.

Statistics SA, (2012).

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The Department of Trade and Industry of South Africa, The Industrial Policy Action Plan, 2012-2015.

United Nations Environment Programme, (2013). Global Chemicals Outlook - Towards Sound Management of Chemicals. UNEP: www.unep.org.

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ANNEXURE 1 OCCUPATIONS BY RACE AND GENDER IN THE FERTILISERS SUBSECTOR

Equity Managers Professionals

Technicians

and associate

professionals

Clerical

support

workers

Service and

sales workers

Skilled and

trade workers

Plant and

machine

operators and

assemblers

Elementary

occupationsLearners

African Female 19 65 136 46 6 5 184 81 14

% 2.7 11.3 11.7 9.3 20.3 1.7 12.6 9.6 19.7

African Male 75 85 464 162 13 135 1 177 624 51

% 10.4 14.8 39.7 32.7 41.4 46.5 80.8 74.2 72.7

Total African 94 150 600 208 19 140 1 361 705 65

% 13.1 26.0 51.3 42.0 61.7 48.2 93.5 83.8 92.4

Coloured Female 5 11 25 20 4 0 0 12 1

% 0.7 2.0 2.1 4.1 12.6 0.0 0.0 1.4 1.5

Coloured Male 11 10 19 6 0 3 36 54 0

% 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.1 0.0 1.1 2.5 6.5 0.0

Total Coloured 16 21 44 26 4 3 36 66 1

% 2.2 3.7 3.7 5.3 12.6 1.1 2.5 7.9 1.5

Indian Female 17 41 28 35 1 0 0 0 0

% 2.4 7.1 2.4 7.2 3.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Indian Male 56 38 40 19 0 21 24 12 3

% 7.8 6.5 3.4 3.9 0.0 7.1 1.6 1.4 4.6

Total Indian 73 79 68 54 1 21 24 12 3

31

Equity Managers Professionals

Technicians

and associate

professionals

Clerical

support

workers

Service and

sales workers

Skilled and

trade workers

Plant and

machine

operators and

assemblers

Elementary

occupationsLearners

% 10.2 13.6 5.8 11.1 3.4 7.1 1.6 1.4 4.6

White Female 136 174 171 163 4 2 5 3 1 136

% 19.0 30.0 14.6 33.0 13.2 0.7 0.4 0.3 1.5 19.0

White Male 399 154 287 43 3 124 30 56 0 399

% 55.6 26.6 24.5 8.6 9.2 42.8 2.0 6.6 0.0 55.6

Total White 535 328 458 206 7 126 35 59 1 535

% 74.5 56.6 39.1 41.6 22.3 43.5 2.4 6.9 1.5 74.5

Total Female 177 291 360 264 15 7 189 96 16 178

% 24.8 50.4 30.8 53.6 49.4 2.4 13.0 11.3 22.8 24.8

Total Male 541 287 810 230 16 283 1 267 746 55 541

% 75.2 49.6 69.2 46.4 50.6 97.6 87.0 88.7 77.2 75.2

TOTAL 718 578 1 170 494 31 290 1 456 842 71 719

Source: WSP submissions, March 2012.

32

ANNEXURE 2 OCCUPATIONS AND SPECIALISATIONS OR ALTERNATIVE TITLES FOUND IN THE FERTILISERS SUBSECTOR

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

111207 Senior Government Manager Superintendent-general

112101 Director (Enterprise / Organisation) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Company Director

Director (Enterprise / Organisation)

Executive Director

Managing Director

Managing Director (Enterprise / Organisation)

121101 Finance Manager Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Finance Director

Finance Manager

Financial Administration Manager

Financial Administrator

Foreign Exchange Manager

121102 Payroll Manager Payroll Manager

121103 Credit Manager Credit Manager

121201 Personnel / Human Resource Manager Personnel / Human Resource Manager

121202 Business Training Manager Business Training Manager

Human Resources Development Manager

Training Manager

121204 Recruitment Manager Recruitment Manager

121206 Health and Safety Manager Health and Safety Manager

Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) Manager

121301 Policy and Planning Manager Policy and Planning Manager

121901 Corporate General Manager Business Operations Manager

Corporate General Manager

Administrative Services Manager

Business Services Manager

Corporate Services Manager

121905 Programme or Project Manager Programme or Project Manager

Project Director

121908 Quality Systems Manager Quality Assurance / Systems Auditor

Quality Control Manager

Quality Manager

Quality Systems Coordinator

122101 Sales and Marketing Manager Business Development Manager

Business Support Manager

Key Account Manager

Sales and Marketing Manager

122102 Sales Manager Sales Director

i

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

Sales Executive

Sales Manager

122103 Director of Marketing Marketing Director

Marketing Manager

122105 Customer Service Manager Customer Care Manager / Representative

Customer Service Manager

122105 Customer Service Manager Customer Services Engineer

122201 Advertising and Public Relations Manager

Public Relations Manager

122301 Research and Development Manager Product Development Manager

Research and Development Manager

Research Director

Research Manager

132101 Manufacturer Factory Manager

132102 Production / Operations Manager (Manufacturing)

Operations Manager (Production)

Plant Manager (Manufacturing)

Plant Superintendent

Production / Operations Manager (Manufacturing)

Works / Workshop Manager (Manufacturing)

132104 Engineering Manager Engineering Maintenance Manager

Engineering Manager

Engineering Manager (Mining)

132105 Power Generation Production/Operations Manager

Geothermal Production Manager

132201 Production / Operations Manager (Mining)

Production / Operations Manager (Mining)

132301 Construction Project Manager Construction Project Manager

132401 Supply and Distribution Manager Depot Manager

Procurement Manager

Supply and Distribution Manager

Supply Chain Manager

Supply Lead Manager

132402 Logistics Manager Dispatch Logistics Manager

Logistics Manager

132404 Warehouse Manager Warehouse Manager

132405 Fleet Manager Fleet Manager

133101 Chief Information Officer ICT / IT Manager

133102 ICT Project Manager ICT Project Manager

133103 Data Management Manager Data Management Manager

133105 Information Technology Manager Information Technology Manager

134902 Laboratory Manager Laboratory Manager

134903 Small Business Manager Small Business Manager

ii

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

134904 Office Manager Office Manager

134915 Operations Manager (Non Manufacturing)

Field Production Manager (Seed)

Operations Foreman (Non Manufacturing)

141101 Hotel or Motel Manager Hotel or Motel Manager

142101 Importer or Exporter Export Manager

Import Manager

142103 Retail Manager (General) Retail Manager (General)

Retail Store Manager

143901 Facilities Manager Facilities Manager

143904 Security Services Manager Security Services Manager

211301 Chemist Chemist

Laboratory Chemist

212103 Statistician Statistician

213105 Biotechnologist Biotechnologist

213106 Botanist Plant Environmental Biologist

213108 Microbiologist Microbiologist

213109 Zoologist Apicultural Scientist

213110 Medical Scientist Clinical Research Associate

213201 Agriculture Consultant Agriculture Field Officer

213202 Agricultural Scientist Agricultural Scientist

Agronomist

Animal Nutritionist

Plant Biologist / Ecologist / Toxicologist

Seed Production Agronomist

213302 Environmental Scientist Environmental Waste Officer

214101 Industrial Engineer Industrial Engineer

Manufacturing Logistics Engineer

Process Engineer

Production Engineer

Quality Management Engineer

Safety Engineer

214102 Industrial Engineering Technologist Process Technologist

Safety Engineerinf Technologist

214201 Civil Engineer Civil Engineer

214302 Environmental Impact and Restoration Analyst

Environmental Remediation Specialist

214401 Mechanical Engineer Maintenance Management Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

214402 Mechanical Engineering Technologist Maintenance Technologist

214501 Chemical Engineer Chemical Engineer

214906 Agricultural Engineering Technologist Agricultural Product Processing Engineering Technologist

iii

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

215101 Electrical Engineer Electrical Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Instrumentation Engineer

215202 Electronics Engineering Technologist Computer Engineering Technologist

216402 Transport Analyst Logistics Analyst

216601 Graphic Designer Graphic Designer

222102 Registered Nurse (Aged Care) Registered Nurse (Aged Care)

225101 Veterinarian Veterinarian

226202 Industrial Pharmacist Industrial Pharmacist

226302 Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHE&Q) Practitioner

Health and Safety Officer / Coordinator / Professional

Occupational Safety Advisor

Occupational Safety Practitioner / Officer

Risk and Safety Manager

Safety Coordinator

Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHE&Q) Practitioner

226501 Dietician Nutritionist

231101 University Lecturer Lecturer

235101 Education or Training Advisor Education / Training Specialist

Education or Training Advisor

241101 Accountant (General) Accountant (General)

Debtors Manager

241102 Management Accountant Cost Accountant

Management Accountant

241104 External Auditor Forensic Auditor / Investigator

241107 Financial Accountant Financial Accountant

241204 Financial Markets Practitioner Financial Markets Practitioner

241205 Professional Principal Executive Officer Professional Principal Executive Officer

242101 Management Consultant Business Analyst

Commercial Analyst

Management Consultant

Technology Development Coordinator

242202 Policy Analyst Commerce Projects Advisor

Special Projects Analyst

242203 Company Secretary Company Secretary

242207 Compliance Officer Compliance Officer

242208 Organisational Risk Manager Organisational Risk Manager

Risk Compliance Manager

242211 Internal Auditor Internal Auditor

242303 Human Resource Advisor Hr Administrator

Hr Officer

iv

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

Human Resource Advisor

Human Resource Consultant

Remuneration and Benefits Specialist

242304 Workplace / Industrial Relations Advisor Industrial Relations Officer

242401 Training and Development Professional Training and Development Professional

Training Coordinator

Training Officer

243102 Market Research Analyst Market Research Analyst

Marketing Analyst

Marketing Research Accounts Manager / Key Account Manager

243103 Marketing Practitioner Brand Manager

Marketing Officer

Marketing Specialist

Product Manager

Sales Coordinator

243201 Communication Coordinator Communication Coordinator

Public Relations (PR) Coordinator / Practitioner

243202 Marketing / Communication Strategist Marketing / Communication Strategist

243301 Sales Representative / Salesman (Industrial Products)

Sales Representative / Salesman (Industrial Products)

243302 Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)

Medical Representative

Pharmaceutical Territory Manager

Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)

243403 ICT Sales Representative Computer Software Support Consultant

251101 ICT Systems Analyst Computer Analyst

ICT Business Systems Analyst

ICT Systems Advisor

ICT Systems Analyst

ICT Systems Specialist

251202 Programmer Analyst Engineer (Applications / Content / IT / Software / Systems / WAN)

251203 Developer Programmer ICT Programmer

251901 Quality Assurance Analyst (Computers) Quality Assurance Analyst (Computers)

252201 Systems Administrator IT Information Systems Administrator

Network / Computer System Coordinator

252201 Systems Administrator Systems Administrator

Systems Manager

252301 Computer Network and Systems Engineer

Computer Systems Integrator

Network Engineer

252902 Technical (ICT) Support Services Manager

Technical (ICT) Support Services Manager

261101 Attorney Attorney

v

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

262201 Librarian Special Librarian

263507 Social Worker Occupational Social Worker

311101 Chemistry Technician Chemical Laboratory Technician / Analyst

Chemical Process Analyst

Chemistry Technician

311102 Physical Science Technician Product Quality Laboratory Technician

311301 Electrical Engineering Technician Electrical Engineering Technician

Electrical Instrument Technician

311401 Electronic Engineering Technician Electronic Engineering Technician

311501 Mechanical Engineering Technician Mechanical Engineering Technician

Mechanical Instrument Technician

311601 Chemical Engineering Technician Chemical Engineering Technician

311701 Mining Technician Mining Technician

311801 Draughtsperson Design and Manufacturing Draughtsperson

311801 Draughtsperson Draughtsperson

Manufacturing Draughtsperson

312101 Production / Operations Supervisor (Mining)

Production / Operations Supervisor (Mining)

Shift Supervisor (Mining)

Miner

Manufacturing Foreman

Production / Operations Supervisor (Manufacturing)

Production Plant Supervisor

312202 Maintenance Planner Engineering Planner

Maintenance Planner

313201 Water Plant Operator Incinerator Operator

Waste Water Plant Operator

313301 Chemical Plant Controller Chemical Plant Controller

Chemical-Still and Reactor Operator

314201 Agricultural Technician Agricultural Laboratory Technician

Agricultural Technical Advisor

Agriculture Technical Assistant

Agriculture Technical Specialist

Field Crop Technical Officer

325705 Safety Inspector Safety Health Environment Quality Inspector

325705 Safety Inspector Safety Inspector

325707 Mines Safety Inspector Mine Radiation Officer

Mines Safety Officer

331201 Credit or Loans Officer Credit Controller

Credit or Loans Officer

Finance Systems Assistant

vi

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

Treasury Officer

331301 Bookkeeper Bookkeeper

Financial Administration Officer

332201 Commercial Sales Representative Commercial Sales Representative

332203 Sales Representative (Personal and Household Goods)

Beauty Sales Consultant

332207 Chemical Sales Representative Agricultural Chemicals Sales Representative

Chemical Sales Representative

332301 Retail Buyer General / Company Buyer

Merchandise Planner

332302 Purchasing Officer Feed Ingredient Buyer

Procurement Administrator / Coordinator / Officer

Procurement Clerk

Procurement Officer (Consumer Sensitive Consumables)

Purchasing Agent / Assistant / Buyer / Clerk / Controller

Purchasing and Logistics Officer

Purchasing Officer

333101 Clearing and Forwarding Agent Shipping Agent

Shipping Agent Coordinator

333905 Supply Chain Practitioner Supply Chain Administrator

Supply Chain Practitioner

333908 Marketing Coordinator Marketing Coordinator

334101 Office Supervisor Office Supervisor

Personnel Clerks Supervisor

334102 Office Administrator Office Administrator

334302 Personal Assistant Administrative Secretary

Executive Assistant

Personal Assistant

335402 Import-export Administrator Import-export Administrator

341102 Legal Executive Legal Executive

341110 Associate Legal Professional Associate Legal Professional

Legal Advisor

351301 Computer Network Technician Computer Network Technician

411101 General Clerk Administration Clerk / Officer

Administrative Assistant

Clerical Assistant / Officer

General Clerk

Lab Administrator

Planning Support Officer

Recording Clerk

412101 Secretary (General) Secretary (General)

vii

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

413201 Data Entry Operator Data Capturer

422301 Switchboard Operator Switchboard Operator

422501 Enquiry Clerk Client Liaison Officer

Corporate / Front Office Receptionist

Customer Centre Support Officer

Customer Services Clerk / Officer / Reception Officer

422601 Receptionist (General) Receptionist (General)

422701 Survey Interviewer Field Assistant / Coordinator

431101 Accounts Clerk Accounts Clerk

Accounts Payable or Receivable Clerk

Creditors Clerk

Debtors Clerk

431102 Cost Clerk Cost Clerk

Costing Clerk

Pricing Clerk / Analyst / Estimator

431301 Payroll Clerk Payroll Officer / Administrator / Advisor / Analyst

Wage Clerk

432101 Stock Clerk / Officer Inventory Clerk / Controller / Administrator

432101 Stock Clerk / Officer Stock Clerk / Officer

Stock Control Clerk

Stores Clerk / Officer

Stores Controller

Supply Clerk / Assistant / Officer / Scheduler

432102 Dispatching and Receiving Clerk / Officer

Dispatch Clerk / Officer / Operator / Assistant / Worker

Dispatching and Receiving Clerk / Officer

Distribution Officer

Goods Receiving Clerk

Workshop Clerk

432103 Order Clerk / Officer Customer Orders Clerk

432104 Warehouse Administrator / Clerk Warehouse Administrator / Clerk

432201 Production Coordinator Distribution Controller

Logistics Clerk / Assistant / Controller / Coordinator / Planner / Officer

Production Clerk

Production Coordinator

Production Foreman

Production Planner / Officer

Production Planning Officer

Production Recorder / Scheduler

441202 Postal Delivery Officer Messenger

441502 Office Machine Operator Office Assistant Photocopying

viii

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

441601 Human Resources Clerk Human Resources Clerk

Human Resources Systems Administrator

441603 Compensation and Benefits Clerk Benefits Administrator

Project Coordinator

Project Planner

441905 Account Clerk (Public Relations / Communication)

Account Clerk (Public Relations / Communication)

513102 Cafe Worker Canteen Attendant / Worker

515103 Commercial Housekeeper Commercial Housekeeper

Housekeeper (Not Private)

522301 Sales Assistant (General) Retail Assistant

Sales Assistant (General)

Sales Person / Consultant

Telephone Salesperson

524903 Sales Clerk / Officer Sales Clerk / Officer

541401 Security Officer Security Guard

542203 Special Forces Operator Team Leader (Tm Ldr)

611302 Landscape Gardener Gardener

611304 Nurseryperson Nursery Manager

Nurseryperson

612902 Game Farmer Game Farm Foreman

641501 Carpenter and Joiner Building Maintenance Repairman

641902 Scaffolder Climbs and Performs Miscellaneous Construction and Building Maintenance Work On Towers With Spires

651202 Welder Welder

651302 Boilermaker Boilermaker

Boilermaker-welder

651401 Metal Fabricator Metal Fabricator

651403 Steel Fixer Steel Bender

652204 Patternmaker Metal Profile Cutter

652301 Metal Machinist Lathe Operator / Setter / Tradesperson

Metal Machinist

652302 Fitter and Turner Fitter and Turner

652401 Metal Polisher Metal Polisher

652404 Grinder Grinder

653101 Automotive Motor Mechanic Automotive Mechanic

Garage Mechanic

653303 Mechanical Fitter Maintenance Fitter

Mechanical Fitter

653304 Diesel Fitter Diesel Fitter

653306 Diesel Mechanic Diesel Fuel Injection Mechanic

Diesel Mechanic

ix

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

662202 Small Offset Printing Machine Operator Small Offset Printing Machine Operator

662306 Guillotine Operator Guillotine Cutter

662306 Guillotine Operator Guillotine Operator

671101 Electrician Electrician

Electrician (General)

671202 Millwright Millwright

672105 Instrument Mechanician Electronic Instrument Trades Worker

Electronic Repair Technician

Instrument Mechanician

682303 Wood Machinist Carving Machine Operator (Wood)

711101 Mining Operator Mining Plant Operator

711201 Mineral Processing Machine Operator Conveyor Belt Operator (Mining)

711301 Driller Drilling Plant Operator

712102 Metal Manufacturing Machine Setter and Minder

Metal Manufacturing Machine Setter and Minder

712201 Electroplater Metal Finishing Machine Operator

713101 Chemical Production Machine Operator Chemical Production Machine Operator

Pharmaceutical Products Machine Operator

713201 Photographic Developer and Printer Film Printer / Processor

714101 Rubber Production Machine Operator Rubber Millman

Rubber Roller Grinder Operator

714204 Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)

Plastics Production Machine Operator (General)

715701 Laundry Machine Operator Laundry Machine Operator

716104 Dairy Products Machine Operator Dairy Plant / Process Operator

716109 Milling Process Machine Operator Grain Cleaner / Dryer / Crusher

718302 Packing Machine Operator Packing Machine Operator

718303 Filling Line Operator Sack or Bag Filler

718304 Packaging Manufacturing Machine Minder

Bag / Sack Maker

718905 Engineering Production Systems Worker Brake Press Operator

Engineering Production Systems Worker

Guillotine Operator Metal

Laser Cutting Operator

Press Pour Operator

718906 Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator Bulk Materials Handling Plant Operator

718907 Weighbridge Operator Weighbridge Operator

732101 Delivery Driver Delivery Driver

Driver-messenger

Light Utility Vehicle (LUV) Driver

733201 Truck Driver (General) Lorry Driver

733201 Truck Driver (General) Truck Driver (General)

x

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

733208 Mobile Mining Equipment Operator Mobile Mining Equipment Operator

734101 Agricultural Mobile Plant (Equipment) Operator

Agrichemical Spraying / Dusting Operator

Agricultural Machine and Equipment Operator

Tractor Driver

734201 Earthmoving Plant Operator (General) Construction Plant Operator (General)

Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)

734204 Excavator Operator Excavator Operator

734206 Loader Operator Front-end-loader Driver

Front-end-loader Operator

Loader Operator

734214 Dump Truck Operator (Off-road) Dump Truck Driver/ Operator

734402 Forklift Driver Forklift Driver

Forklift Operator

811201 Commercial Cleaner Cleaner (Non-domestic)

Commercial Cleaner

Office Cleaner

Workshop Cleaner

811203 Tea Attendant Tea Lady

812101 Laundry Worker (General) Laundry Worker (General)

821104 Harvester / Picker Harvester / Picker

821301 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker / Assistant

General Farm Worker

831101 Mining Support Worker Centrifuge Pump Operator/ Pump Attendant

831101 Mining Support Worker Mining Support Worker

831103 Mineral Beneficiation Plant Worker Mineral Beneficiation Plant Worker

831301 Builder's Worker Artisan Aide Building Trade

Carpenter's Assistant

Maintenance Person / Coordinator

831304 Plumber's Assistant Plumber's Assistant

832101 Packer (Non Perishable Products) Packer (Non Perishable Products)

832901 Metal Engineering Process Worker Boilermaker's Assistant / Aide

Fitter's Assistant

832902 Plastics, Composites and Rubber Factory Worker

Plastics Packer

832903 Timber and Wood Process Worker Match Making Machine Operator

Pulp, Paper Making and Paper Products Labourer

Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker

Timber and Wood Process Worker

832905 Footwear and Leather Factory Worker Footwear General Worker

832907 Chemical Plant Worker Chemical Plant Worker

Chemical Tester (Physical/ Routine)

xi

OFO Code

Occupation Specialisation name

832910 Component Fitter Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General)

833301 Freight Handler (Rail or Road) Freight Handler (Rail or Road)

Freight Loader

833302 Truck Driver's Offsider Truck Driver's Offsider

833401 Shelf Filler Warehouse Worker / Shelver

833402 Store Person Manufacturing Storeperson

Store Person

Stores Assistant

Warehouse Assistant

862202 Handyperson Handy Man

862915 Chemical Mixer Chemical Mixer

862918 Electrical or Telecommunications Trades Assistant

Artisan Aide Electrical

Auto Electrician's Assistant

Electrical Helper

Instrument Artisan Assistant

Measurement, Control and Instrumentation MC&I) Assistant

862919 Mechanic's Assistant Mechanic's Assistant

xii