From electrical engineers to pharmacists through to nurses, these are just some of the job roles that are in high demand internationally, according to the Pnet Job Market Trends Report February 2025.

The report which provides insights into recruitment and employment trends in the South African market, said that on a regional level the demand for South African professionals is more homogeneous.

However, there are significant differences in the demand for professionals when looking at different countries

"Interestingly, the type of South African professional Ireland is looking for is different to what Kenya is looking for when recruiting for South Africans," the report said.

"While Irish companies are mainly interested in South African mechanics and construction project managers, Kenyan recruiters are looking for South African managerial staff such as department managers, senior managers or executive managers."

For parts of Southern Africa, West Africa and Asia, there appears to be a major drive to recruit SA managerial staff while Southern Africa and West Africa are also trying to attract South African accounting professionals.

South African engineers are in demand in Europe, Oceania and Asia.

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European companies are looking for technicians and mechanics in the Maintenance & Repair sector. Millwrights as well as building project managers seem to be popular in Europe too.

The regions of Asia and Oceania are looking to recruit medical & health professionals such as nurses, therapists and pharmacists from South Africa.

South African construction workers like building project managers as well surveyors are in demand in Australia and New Zealand.

Here is a breakdown of the jobs are in demand internationally:

Europe

- Maintenance & Repair: vehicle & mobile equipment installation/repair; electrical & electronic equipment installation/repair; HVAC installation/repair; and instrument & equipment installation/repair

- Engineering: electrical engineering

- Building & Construction: building project management

- Manufacturing & Assembly: millwrights

Asia

- Business & Management: middle/department management; and senior management

- Medical & Health: various, medical & health professions

- Engineering: various engineering professions

West Africa

- Business & Management: middle / department management and executive management/director

- Finance: various accounting professions

Oceania

- Building & Construction: building project management and quantity surveying; land surveying

- Engineering: civil/structural engineering; electronic engineering; and mining engineering

- Medical & Health: therapist; pharmacist; nursing/professional care giving

Southern Africa

- Business & Management: middle/department management; executive management/director, senior management

Finance: various accounting professions.

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