Graduates are not packing for Perth

Despite a turbulent political landscape and tough economic times, South Africa's professionals, from doctors and dentists to engineers and lawyers, don't want to pack for Perth.

The recently launched PPS Graduate Professional Index survey, in which more than 3000 graduates participated, found that professionals have faith in their future prospects of living and working here.

The survey revealed that 73% of professionals, including pharmacists and accountants, expressed confidence in the future of their professions in the next five years.

They said what kept them at home included improved regulations, earning capacity, improved economic conditions, having sought-after professions and contributing positively to society.

The remaining 27% of professionals who said they were not confident in the future of their professions, are concerned about political issues and economic conditions.

When probed about how joblessness affects their professions, 32% of respondents said that skilled professionals unable to find appropriate work had little choice but to move overseas.

Macy Seperepere, PPS's manager of professional associations, said the results related to joblessness mirrored data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which showed that the country had the highest number of skilled women professionals of any African country who are going overseas because of limited job opportunities.

But the survey showed that 53% of professionals had not considered emigration in the past year. Of the professionals who had not considered "packing for Perth", 44% of them stated their main reason for staying was that they were happy living in South Africa.

"When breaking the responses down by age, it is interesting to note that 21% of the respondents who are positive about the future of their professions are between 20 and 30. It is very encouraging .this group will provide the skills the country needs," said Seperepere.