SAITIS & ISETT SETA
An Assessment of the ICT
Labour Market for
ISETT
- Research Report Output Structure –
August 2001
A Research Report Outline prepared by
Access Market International
Contact Details:
Robert Mulder
[Tel] +27 (11) 315-4134
[Fax] + 27 (11) 315-4550
[E-mail] accessmi@mweb.co.za
P.O. Box 3522
Halfway House
1685
South Africa
August 2001
Confidential
DISTRIBUTION SHEET
An Assessment of the ICT
Labour Market for
SAITIS
- Research Report Output Structure –
August 2001
ASSIGNMENT TYPE
Research
SECTOR
Public Sector - ICT
DOCUMENT NUMBER:
AMI 01-1128
SOURCE FILES:
AMI 01-1145
AMISTY.DOT
DISTRIBUTION:
Copy
AMI 01-1145
Bearer
Organisation
01
Server
AMI
02
M. Roux
SAITIS
03
Tebogo Makgatho
ISETT
04
A. Masebe
DoL
Page 2
Style sheet
August 2001
Confidential
PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH
REPORT OUTPUT STRUCTURE
The purpose of this document is to serve as a guide for the development of the research report that is
the integral deliverable for the assignment commissioned by SAITIS and ISETT on the assessment
of the ICT labour market in South Africa. This document will enable the SAITIS and ISETT
project team as well as the team of AMI consultants to ensure the delivery of a research report that
fully meets the requirements of the client.
This document includes an outline of the output structure of the research report to be delivered to
SAITIS and ISETT at the completion of the assignment.
AMI 01-1145
Page 3
August 2001
Confidential
AMI 01-1145
Page 4
August 2001
Confidential
REPORT STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION
An introduction to the research will be provided.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives will be outlined in this section.
METHODOLOGY
The methodology utilised will be described in detail.
SAMPLE
Sample realised in the data collection.
ANALYSIS
Analytical tools utilised will be described and any caveats encountered in the research.
This section will elaborate on the collection of ICT labour statistics in South Africa. Mention will
also be made of the constraints for developing the ICT labour market and factors that need to be
considered in trying to resolve the problem.
CAVEATS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
An executive summary, consisting of the major ICT labour market dimensions and dynamics and
conclusions will be presented in the summary. It is envisaged that this summary will be
accommodated within 2 pages.
AMI 01-1145
Page 5
August 2001
Confidential
OVERVIEW OF THE ICT LABOUR MARKET IN SOUTH
AFRICA
This section of the report will examine the prospects of the ICT employment market. The following
analysis will be carried out:
ICT SKILL DEMOGRAPHICS
This section will provide information on the overall ICT labour market with an indication of
demographic information typical to this market. The reader will be able to construct an
indentikit of a typical employee in the ICT market.
PROFILE OF THE ICT-USER
Information will be analysed and presented as pie-charts of the following items:

Age – the breakdown of ICT-users according to age, e.g. x percentage of ICT-users fall
into the age group of 20-30 yrs

Gender – the breakdown of ICT-users according to gender

Race – the breakdown of ICT-users according to race group

Union representation – the breakdown according to union representation
CURRENT ICT LABOUR BASE

Employment by SIC Code – the number of ICT-users employed per industry according
to SIC code [pie-chart]

Employment by Occupational Level – the number of ICT-users employed per
occupational level [pie-chart], analysed in terms race group and gender [column graphs]
CURRENT ICT SKILLS BASE

Highest qualification – the frequency of the highest qualification, i.e. how many ICTusers have what type of qualification [ bar chart]

Levels of training – the percentage split between the different levels of training per
skills category, where 1= appropriate training only and 5=expert [table]
AMI 01-1145
Page 6
August 2001
Confidential
GROWTH, AND MEDIUM TERM GROWTH PROSPECTS FOR THE
ICT EMPLOYMENT MARKET
An examination of the current growth, and medium term growth prospects for the ICT
employment market.

This section will include predictions for future growth in the ICT labour market by
largely analysing the inputs from various educational and training institutions.

The forecasts will be compared to the findings of the current ICT labour market base,
according to the results produced in the previous section, to provide a snap shot of the
supply and demand of ICT labour in the next 3-5 years.
MAJOR TRENDS INFLUENCING THE ICT EMPLOYMENT MARKET

A list of the major trends that influence the ICT labour market will be presented and a
macro-level by conducting a PEST and SHE analysis.
The analysis carried out in this section will form a key input for the next section, dealing with
the ICT human resource skills demand requirements of the ICT market.
THE HUMAN RESOURCE NEEDS OF THE ICT SECTORS
This section will examine the demand for ICT human resources by focussing on the needs and
requirements of end users of ICT in the industry sectors covered in the previous section. This
will include the following:
MAJOR TYPES OF ICT SKILLS SOUGHT
This will include an analysis of the type of skills required by organisations per SETA
classification.
OVERALL ICT SKILLS SOUGHT

An analysis of the number currently employed per skills category versus the number of
vacancies per skills category will be conducted to indicate need for skills in the various
categories. [Pie chart]

The composition of the ICT skills base, i.e. number of foreign nationals employed per
skills category versus total number employed. [Pie chart]
SKILLS SOUGHT PER SETA CLASSIFICATION

An analysis of the skills sought per SETA classification will identify specific skills
required per SETA classification. [Table]

The composition of the ICT skills base per SETA classification, i.e. number of foreign
nationals employed by skills category versus total number employed analysed for each
SETA classification. [Pie chart]
AMI 01-1145
Page 7
August 2001
Confidential
CRITICAL HIGH END SKILLS
Critical high end skills that are required across the various sectors.

The critical skills will be highlighted by focussing on those most frequently mentioned
or sought per SETA sector.
APPROPRIATENESS OF SKILLS PROVIDED IN THE MARKET

Average overall competency levels, per SETA classification, of ICT-users by skills
category will determine areas for improvement. An analysis of employer’s rating of the
skills in their organisation will be conducted. [bar chart]

Average adequacy levels, per skills category, of ICT-labour market. [bar chart].

Future prospects will be alluded to from the results obtained from educational and
training institutions
IN-HOUSE TRAINING OR OUTSOURCED TRAINING
An analysis of the types of training offered by organisations will be conducted focussing on:

Budget

Frequency

Nature of programme
THE SUPPLY OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN THE ICT
MARKET
This section will examine the supply side of the ICT labour market with a view to describing the
skills set available in South Africa.
PROFILES OF TERTIARY AND TRAINING INSTITUTIONS

Date of Establishment

Size of establishment in terms of student population

Location including physical address

Number of ICT courses / programmes offered

Qualifications of lecturers of ICT programmes
OUTPUTS FOR TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS – SUITABILITY OF
SKILLS

Average number of students enrolled in ICT courses per year
AMI 01-1145
Page 8
August 2001
Confidential

Average pass rate for ICT courses for past five years

Gender and racial split for ICT courses

Most popular education and training institution for successful candidates
OUTPUTS FROM TRAINING INSTITUTIONS– SUITABILITY OF
SKILLS

Average number of students enrolled in ICT courses per year

Average pass rate for ICT courses for past five years

Gender and racial split for ICT courses

Most popular education and training institution for successful candidates
MIGRATION THREATS AND THE IMPACT ON ICT SUPPLY

Number of ICT immigrants per year

Forecasts for the next 3-5 years
CHANNELS OF ICT SKILL DELIVERY
The following will also be considered in the context of recruitment agencies.

Type of channel used to recruit human resources

Number employed per channel listed above
The next section will analyse the skills supply further.
ANALYSIS OF THE ICT LABOUR MARKET
SUPPLY SIDE OF THE ICT SKILLS
This section will examine the results of the supply side of the ICT skills compared to the
demand market potential for each of the main ICT labour categories.
SIZE OF THE DIFFERENT ICT LABOUR CATEGORIES
The size of the different ICT labour categories will be established to identify areas where the
greatest skill shortages exist.
DEMAND AND SHORTFALL OF ICT SKILLS
The various categories of skill shortages will be rated in terms of where the greatest demand
exists and where the biggest shortfall in supply is evident.
AMI 01-1145
Page 9
August 2001
Confidential
FORECASTS
Based on the availability of skills, forecasts will be provided of the different categories of skills
that is needed to meet the economic growth requirements of the ICT sector as well as non-ICT
sectors.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Conclusions will be drawn, based on the findings of the study, and scenarios will be developed with
regard to those ICT and non-ICT sectors with the highest skill needs that should be considered by
SAITIS and ISETT for immediate attention.
Recommendations will also be made on how a marketing and communications plan should be
embarked upon to address the skills gaps identified.
AMI 01-1145
Page 10