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Johannesburg - It seems that the move towards automation is redefining the employment environment in the manufacturing sector, according to Coenraad Bezuidenhout, executive director of the Manufacturing Circle.
"Jobs are becoming redundant and skills shortage in automation and robotics are now more evident," he said.
"Some companies are investing in specialised staff training to manage automated systems."
Business confidence in the manufacturing sector was fragile during the second quarter of 2013, according to Bezuidenhout.
He said although the weak rand presented a price competitiveness advantage for export-oriented SA manufacturers, it also impacted costs to a certain extent.
According to Stats SA the manufacturing sector has shed 18 000 jobs during during the second quarter.
"However, based on the most recent Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data signs of an improvement in manufacturing activity in South Africa as well as in some of its major trading partners have been evident," he said.
"The resilience of South Africa’s manufactured exports during Q2 2013 was by and large thanks to the weak rand."
Also, some respondents have observed an increase in their exports to Africa, especially Nigeria and Kenya.
"The main constraints hampering the South African manufacturing sector include raw materials like high grade coal and steel, electricity, water and skills shortages," he said.
"Improvements in productivity are key to improving South Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness."
The majority of surveyed manufacturers indicated that they did not benefit from the government’s local procurement programme, according to Bezuidenhout.
They also did not incorporate any potential benefits from the government’s local procurement programme into plans to maintain growth in their respective manufacturing concerns.
- Fin24
"Jobs are becoming redundant and skills shortage in automation and robotics are now more evident," he said.
"Some companies are investing in specialised staff training to manage automated systems."
Business confidence in the manufacturing sector was fragile during the second quarter of 2013, according to Bezuidenhout.
He said although the weak rand presented a price competitiveness advantage for export-oriented SA manufacturers, it also impacted costs to a certain extent.
According to Stats SA the manufacturing sector has shed 18 000 jobs during during the second quarter.
"However, based on the most recent Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data signs of an improvement in manufacturing activity in South Africa as well as in some of its major trading partners have been evident," he said.
"The resilience of South Africa’s manufactured exports during Q2 2013 was by and large thanks to the weak rand."
Also, some respondents have observed an increase in their exports to Africa, especially Nigeria and Kenya.
"The main constraints hampering the South African manufacturing sector include raw materials like high grade coal and steel, electricity, water and skills shortages," he said.
"Improvements in productivity are key to improving South Africa’s manufacturing competitiveness."
The majority of surveyed manufacturers indicated that they did not benefit from the government’s local procurement programme, according to Bezuidenhout.
They also did not incorporate any potential benefits from the government’s local procurement programme into plans to maintain growth in their respective manufacturing concerns.
- Fin24
