Engineers are people who obtain a recognised BSc (Eng) or BEng degree after four years of university training. After gaining at least three years of appropriate practical experience an engineer may register as a Professional Engineer under the auspices of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Engineering Technologists obtain a recognised BTech or MTech degree after at least 4 years of training at a University of Technology. After gaining at least 3 years of appropriate practical experience an engineering technologist may register as a Professional Technologist (Engineering) under the auspices of the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

People qualified in the above two categories can expect a strong demand for their services over the next 4 years. This is due to high economic growth forecast coupled with the fact that a many qualified engineers have immigrated to other countries.

The shift towards the use of high technology, labour-saving capital equipment in the manufacturing sector is expected to be a major contributor to the high growth in demand for engineers. They are required to develop, implement and operate the new technology.

The biggest demand seems to be for more experienced and skilled engineers at a senior level.

• High Growth (15%-40%) is expected in demand for electrical, electronic engineers. The telecommunications industry is one of the fastest growing areas of the economy and is expected to be an important contributor to the high growth in positions for electrical engineers and electrical engineering technologists/technicians.
• Chemical engineers are expected to show high growth, largely as a result of strong growth and innovation in the chemicals sector.
• Electrical engineers (including electronic engineers) are expected to show the highest growth since so much of the new technology is electronically based.
• Moderately high growth (10%-15%) is forecast in the demand for industrial/production engineers, mechanical and civil engineers and moderate growth is expected for metallurgical and mining engineers.
• Strong growth for mechanical engineers in most manufacturing sectors is increasing due to a buoyant motor-manufacturing sector.
• Increasingly strong growth in the civil engineering and building industries is as a result of the high economic growth forecast for the country. High growth leads to infrastructure development
• The stagnant state of the mining industry is expected to be the major contributor to the slower growth in demand for mining engineers as well as metallurgical engineers.

"Engineering activity includes projects, services and solutions of problems that are of importance to society and the economy."

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