South Africa’s critical skills list is a comprehensive outline of professions that have been deemed to be in demand by the country. While many of the jobs you’ll likely be familiar with, here are ten listed occupations that might come as a surprise to you

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1. Sheep Shearer

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3014″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]As the name suggests, Sheep Shearers are charged with the duty of denuding our fluffy friends of their gorgeous wool. We suspect the inclusion of this profession may be a ploy by the Department of Home Affairs to try rid New Zealand of all their sportsmen (or perhaps we’re just sore losers).[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

2. Protein Scientist

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2969″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Protein Scientists explore the role of protein in molecular and cell biology genetics, as well as evolution. Gym-bunnies don’t count.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

3. Space Weather Specialist

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3012″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Space Weather Specialists are responsible for identifying and forecasting major space weather events, especially those that can disrupt infrastructure and power grids back here on earth.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

4. Bioinformatician

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2973″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]If you can pronounce Bioinformatician, then half the battle of understanding this position has already been won. The Bioinformatician endeavors to understand, process and study biological data by way of  mathematics, science and technology.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

5. Metrologist

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”3007″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Metrology refers to the science of measurement, and is not to be confused with Meteorology. The field encompasses  all theoretical and practical components of measurement.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

6. Black Hole Researcher

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2981″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]As South African citizens, we may hope that the demand for Black Hole researchers might be the country’s way of getting to the bottom of missing Government funds, but it’s more likely to do with understanding deep space phenomena.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

7. Metallurgical Scientist

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2984″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The field of Metallurgy explores the behaviour and composition of metallic elements and compounds. South Africa’s demand for Metallurgical Scientists is likely to do with the Rugby World Cup later this year, where the trophy’s authenticity will need to be confirmed upon winning.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

8. Geomatics Technician

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2989″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]The role of a Geomatics Technician involves gathering and processing geospatial data, often for military purposes. So if you were unsure as to what a Geomatics Technician was before, you should still be pretty confused after that explanation.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

9. Soil Scientist

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2991″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Some people might tell you that being a Soil Scientist is monotonous and  boring. The truth is that they’re just jealous. Or they’re right. We can’t confirm either way as we’ve never been one. Regardless, Soil Scientists are responsible for evaluating and interpreting soil related data, often for the purposes of agricultural production.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]

10. Palaeosciences Researcher

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2994″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Nowadays the word “paleo” is almost always associated with the word “diet”. However, Palaeosciences refers to an amalgamation of academic disciplines that strive to tell the story of life on earth.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][vc_column_text]If you’d like to know more about the critical skills list, or if you’re a foreign national interested in working in SA, then take a look at our South African work visa page for details. SAvisas.com – The South African visa experts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center”][vc_column_text]

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