- Moderately high growth (10%-15%) in the demand for chemists and natural (e.g. geological, mathematical, biological) sciences technologists and technicians is expected. However, a sizeable proportion of natural sciences technologists/technicians are employed in government. Growth in the demand for those occupations is therefore restricted.
- Occupations in the fields of agriculture, forestry, food science, chemical science, physical science and microbiology are expected to show overall moderate growth (5%- 10%). Government and local government spending restraints will probably slow the growth in demand for these occupations. Higher growth in demand is expected in non-public sectors.
- Government and local government budgetary constraints are expected to limit growth to less than 5% in a number of other occupational categories including biological science (e.g. zoology, botany), nature conservation, the geological sciences, metallurgy and horticulture. Occupations in these categories tend to be concentrated in government or in organizations that are dependent on government funding.
- Having said this, the biotechnology industry is growing worldwide. Biotechnology drugs are commonly used and vaccines currently in clinical trials targeting more than 200 diseases, including various cancers, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, AIDS and arthritis Genetic engineering is now an accepted scientific tool to increase food production efficiency, to ensure sustainable agriculture and the development of new products. DNA fingerprinting, a biotech process, has dramatically improved criminal investigation and forensic medicine, as well as afforded significant advances in anthropology and wildlife management. For more information go to www.africabio.com
