When was the last time you heard of a South African lawyer giving his client a refund after the lawyer failed to successfully defend his client in court? Has your doctor ever given you a refund after the treatment that he prescribed for you, failed to heal you? However, if the professional technical person that one calls to repair some part of a manufacturing plant fails to resolve the problem, other than a minimum quoting fee, an engineer would generally not get paid for ‘failing to fix the problem’.
Then, to add economic insult to the initial unmerited injury, our esteemed co-professionals in these (and other) professions are remunerated at considerably higher rates than engineers. I have yet to find a lawyer who can convince me of the need for this variance. This discrepancy between the remuneration packages is not unique to South Africa. By way of example, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) reports that US lawyers earn approximately 25% more than engineers.
So if, generally, companies do not pay engineers the same salaries as other professionals, then pray tell, "Why is anybody surprised that there is a global shortage of engineers?"
Do not forget to add to the equation, countless television programmes that glamourise the legal and medical fraternities. Let us face facts. When did you last see a television drama series that glamourised the job of a mechanical technician in a mine?
From a South African perspective, (and also the perspective of other developing countries eg, India), many of our control and instrumentation engineers are being 'poached' by countries that are prepared to pay higher wages for technical skills. One just has to think of the hoards of South African refinery artisans and engineers currently employed in the Persian Gulf.
So what is the solution? I suggest, ‘Pay engineers more!’ If one throws enough money at a shortage of resources, the problem will eventually go away. It is simple supply and demand economics. Businesses executives need to stop their incessant whining about the shortage of skilled technical staff. Instead, they need to pay their artisans, technicians, technologists and engineers salaries that are commensurate with their responsibilities. These salaries need to be equitable with other registered professionals eg, the legal and accounting officers in these same firms.
Mark my words. As long as this discrepancy in salaries exists, the ‘engineering skills shortage’ will continue.
New digital tool reconditioning portal puts customers fully in control
News & events
Sandvik Coromant has upgraded its tool reconditioning service for solid round tools. The upgraded service replaces a previously manual, multi-stage workflow with a streamlined, fully online experience that dramatically reduces quotation and turnaround times.
Read more...New automation innovations on show at Electra Mining Africa 2026
News & events
South African engineers are leaders in innovation and technology development. Many of these innovations and newly automated systems will be on display at the largest trade show of its kind in southern Africa, Electra Mining Africa 2026, taking place in Johannesburg later this year.
Read more...Investment in training is key for the lubrication industry
News & events
Lubrication management has grown more sophisticated in recent years, yet equipment failure rates linked to lubrication problems remain stubbornly high. The reason for this is that technology can only go so far without the people behind it being properly trained.
Read more...Elevating artisanal skills is key to revitalising South Africa’s economy
News & events
We need to challenge the stigma attached to artisanal and technical careers, and we also need a mindset shift supported by the schooling system so that young people understand future career pathways, choose subjects accordingly, and recognise that artisanal and technical skills carry equal value in a modern economy.
Read more...From the editor's desk: A tool not a crutch Technews Publishing
News & events
Every year, the dictionaries try to summarise a year of human behaviour with a single word, the word of the year. You can question the value of this, but it’s quite entertaining. Words are important, ...
Read more...Experience ICRA 2026 right here in Gqeberha, South Africa
News & events
The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is the largest robotics, automation, artificial intelligence, and manufacturing conference in the world. You can experience the premier keynote and plenary presentations in Gqeberha.
Read more...Woman of Stature Awards South Africa
News & events
In a powerful recognition of excellence in a traditionally male-dominated industry, Thabisile Phumo won the Woman in Mining and Engineering award at the 2026 Woman of Stature Awards South Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version