Webinar
South Africa’s Skills Shortages:
Preliminary Findings from the 2026 Critical Skills Survey
Date
15 September 2026
Time:
10:00 – 11:00 (SA Time)
Fee:
Complimentary
Platform:
ZOOM
South Africa’s skills needs continue to evolve, presenting ongoing recruitment challenges for employers across industries.
The preliminary findings from Xpatweb’s 2026 Critical Skills Survey provide an early view of the skills shortages currently affecting South African employers. By sharing their experiences, participating organisations are helping to build a credible, employer-led picture of the country’s critical skills needs.
Ahead of the survey closing on 16 September 2026, join Xpatweb’s Managing Director, Marisa Jacobs, and Senior Immigration Consultant, Keri Culver, as they unpack the preliminary findings and explore where employers are experiencing the greatest difficulty in securing critical skills.
The session will also consider what these emerging findings mean for employers and how the research can support business planning, stakeholder engagement, and informed policy discussions.
Be among the first to hear what employers are reporting
Join us for an early look at the emerging findings from the 2026 Critical Skills Survey, including:
- The skills South African employers are struggling most to recruit
- The sectors and occupations showing the most significant shortages
- The recruitment challenges affecting employers across industries
- How the 2026 findings compare with previous survey results
- What these emerging trends could mean for business planning and future policy discussions
Attendees will also have an opportunity to put their questions to our speakers and learn how their organisation can contribute before the survey closes on 16 September 2026.
Who Should Attend?
Business leaders and employers
HR and talent acquisition professionals
Global mobility and immigration professionals
Industry bodies and business chambers
Government and policy stakeholders
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Meet The Speaker
Marisa Jacobs
Managing Director of Xpatweb & Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) Member appointed by the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Representing Organised Business
Marisa Jacobs is the Managing Director of Xpatweb, the premium immigration practice in South Africa. Recognised as an industry specialist in all work visa categories, Marisa’s Critical Skills Survey was instrumental in validating the 2021 Critical Skills List.
She is the Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) appointed representative on the Minister of Home Affairs’ Immigration Advisory Board (IAB), which was formally re-established on 01 April 2025. Her role within the IAB includes engaging with key stakeholders across the private sector to ensure that business perspectives are meaningfully incorporated into the Board’s deliberations.
She also serves on BUSA and NEDLAC, while actively overseeing the practice on a day-to-day basis. With extensive experience in expatriate management, Marisa’s expertise extends beyond work visas. She pioneered the development of the Immigration Tracker, now widely adopted by South Africa’s largest expatriate employers.
Marisa’s solution-based methodologies include managing confidential payrolls for various expatriate groups, navigating SARS tax directives and rulings, securing Reserve Bank clearances for expatriates, and providing optimal banking solutions. Her profound passion for work visa matters is evident through her daily interactions with senior immigration officials and executives worldwide.
Be among the first to access the preliminary findings of South Africa’s leading employer-driven Critical Skills Survey.
Register now to gain valuable insight into the country’s evolving skills landscape, understand the challenges employers are facing across industries, and learn how the findings will contribute to broader policy discussions.
Have not completed the survey yet? There is still time to participate and ensure your organisation’s voice is represented before the survey closes on 16 September 2026.