Business Report writes that employment in the consulting engineering industry declined by 4% year-on-year in the second half of last year to an estimated 23,349 jobs.  

However, the number of firms looking for engineers increased to 44.9% from 32% in the previous six months and 40% in the last six months of 2015, according to the latest biannual economic and capacity survey conducted by Consulting Engineers South Africa (Cesa).  The survey report said there was also a notable increase in demand for other technical staff to 72% in the second half of last year from 38% in the previous six months and 4% in December 2015.  The public sector remains the most important client to the industry.  Chris Campbell, chief executive of Cesa, said service delivery, especially at municipal level, remained a critical burning issue, but the consulting engineering industry was threatened by incapacitated local and provincial governments.

• Read this report by Roy Cokayne in full at Business Report

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