The mining industry is attracting fewer engineering students than in the past because of labour unrest and extensive job cuts, Universum South Africa found in a survey released yesterday.
It said the employer ranking findings highlighted the impact the unrest in the mining sector had had on the attractiveness of the industry, while stability and innovation were identified as the most attractive traits in potential employers.
Research manager Jenali Skuse said: “Students are aware of what is going on in the industry and the uncertainty of unrest in a traditionally stable and popular industry has resulted in attractiveness decreasing greatly.”
KPMG maintained top spot for the second year in Ideal Employer Rankings for Business Students in South Africa last year. – Wiseman Khuzwayo