Manufacturing Jobs

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s tradable economy. It produces everything from cars and auto components to processed foods, chemicals, metal products and textiles – but it is under pressure.

In recent years output and exports have experienced headwinds, and employment has been volatile. The formal non-agricultural labour market showed some modest improvement at the end of 2024, but the overall picture still includes job losses and restructuring in some subsectors.

National government agencies (e.g. the dtic, and IDC) and independent analysts all point to a challenging recent period for manufacturing, with declines seen in some export lines and persistent cost pressures (energy, cheap imports, logistics) that affect jobs and firm viability.

According to the Quarterly Employment Statistics (QES, Q4: 2024) survey, which was released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA), manufacturing saw a job loss of 13 000 positions.

Exact employment counts change from quarter to quarter, yet Stats SA’s labour surveys show that formal sector employment fluctuated in 2024 2025. Manufacturing remains a significant employer within the formal sector, but has seen both small gains and losses across recent quarters, as firms adjust to demand and cost pressures.

For planning or job-search purposes, assume manufacturing employs hundreds of thousands in formal roles; plus many more in upstream/downstream services and informal supply chains.

The largest, most export-oriented subsectors are:

• automotive and transport equipment – a major export earner and large employer (vehicle assembly and components). According to naamsa, it accounts for 4.9 percent of the country’s GPD;
• food and beverages – a large employer, local demand-driven, but also exports for certain products;
• metals and metal products (including steel) – historically a big employer. Steel has faced severe pressure and potential plant closures in recent years;
• chemicals, petrochemicals and refined products – important for value-added jobs and downstream industry;
• the capital goods and machinery — smaller, but strategically important for investment and skills.

The automotive sector is often singled out as a manufacturing anchor; the steel and long-steel subsectors have been in crisis and that has ripple effects on employment.

Manufacturing value-add and jobs are geographically concentrated as follos:

• in Gauteng (the economic heartland), which accounts for the largest share of manufacturing value add and employment;
• in KwaZulu-Natal, the Western Cape and the Eastern Cape (the latter is strongly linked to automotive and related industries).

Provinces such as Mpumalanga and the North West host specific clusters (e.g. agroprocessing, and mining-linked fabrication). If you’re job hunting, Gauteng, KZN and the Western/Eastern Cape are logical places to look first.

This Engineering News article shares more details about the South African manufacturing sector.

Common roles by level include:

• Entry / operational
• factory operator/production worker/packer
• machine operator/ computer numerical control (CNC) operator (basic)
• general assistant/material handler/stores person
• quality inspector (entry level)
• Skilled technical
• artisan trades: fitter & turner, millwright, electrician, welder, boilermaker
• maintenance technicians (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation)
• CNC programmer/operator (advanced)
• Supervisory/specialist
• production supervisor/team leader
• quality assurance technician/lab analyst
• process technician/process engineer
• Professional/managerial
• industrial engineer/process engineer
• production/plant manager/operations manager
• supply chain/planning/logistics manager
• safety, health, environment, quality (SHEQ) manager
• continuous improvement/Lean/Six Sigma specialist
• Support functions
• human resources (HR), payroll, procurement, IT, finance – every medium-to-large plant requires these functions.

See also, for interest, production jobs and engineering jobs.

It very much depends on the job spec. Entry-level production roles often require a Grade 10 to 12 school certificate, and on-the-job training; literacy and numeracy are essential. Artisans and technicians will need to complete the relevant trade test or artisan certificate (NQF aligned), apprenticeship/learnership, or take on a recognised artisan programme – these are high-value qualifications that command better pay. TVET colleges and workplace apprenticeships are typical pathways.

Engineers and technologists need a university degrees (BEng/BSc Eng, BTech) or diploma; industrial or process engineering is highly valued. Quality and laboratory roles need a national diploma or tertiary certificate in quality management, chemistry, metallurgy, or food science – depending on the sector; and Lean/Six Sigma roles require a yellow/green/black belt certificate – they are increasingly sought after for continuous improvement roles.

Companies value relevant experience, trade tests, safety tickets (e.g., scaffolding, confined spaces), and competency certificates for operating heavy equipment (e.g. forklifts, cranes).

Learnerships are structured programmes that combine workplace training with theoretical education (often through a SETA), and lead to a qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework.

Apprenticeships, which generally offer artisan training, remain crucial for trades. Big manufacturers often run graduate internship programmes and in-plant artisan training.

If you’re entering manufacturing without experience, look for advertised learnerships, SETA-funded apprenticeships, and internships on company websites and government career portals.

Pay varies widely by role, skill and location. However, recent sources indicate the following ranges, according to job title:

• a general factory/factory worker/packer often earns in the low thousands per month, i.e. R6k to R12k depending on region and overtime put in;
• skilled artisans and technicians earn substantially more, with skilled artisans and qualified technicians commanding salaries of R10k to R30k per month, depending on experience and sector;
• engineers and managers, such as industrial/process engineers, production managers, and experienced professionals can earn from R25k per month and into the six-figure annual territory – depending on seniority and company.

Official aggregate wage indices for manufacturing show average monthly wages in the low-to-mid-R20 000, with varying quarterly averages.

Trading Economics is a great source to check out expected wages in the manufacturing niche, together with the economic indicators which could affect these.

Manufacturing wages span a very wide range. Low-skilled production roles tend to sit below the national average, while skilled artisans, engineers and managers can earn well above the national average. The key takeaway: investing in artisan skills, technical credentials or engineering capabilities, because these will raise your earning potential significantly in comparison to entry-level production roles.

Employers consistently flag the following seven manufacturing skills and characteristics:

• artisan trades (fitters, electricians, millwrights, welders) – always in demand;
• maintenance and reliability skills – predictive maintenance, PLCs, instrumentation;
• industrial/process engineering – optimisation, OEE, capacity planning;
• quality and compliance – ISO standards, traceability, lab skills (food/chemicals);
• digital/automation skills – PLC programming, robotics, basic data analytics/ SQL for Industry 4.0 roles;
• soft skills – problem solving, teamwork, shiftwork adaptability, safety culture, and excellent communication;
• continuous improvement (Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma), together with familiarity on ERP/MRP systems.

Automation is shifting the mix of roles. Routine manual tasks are becoming increasingly automated, which creates pressure on some low-skill jobs while increasing demand for technicians who can maintain and programme machines, data analysts, and engineers who can integrate automated systems.

For workers, this means upskilling is important – training in PLC fundamentals, sensors, basic coding, maintenance diagnostics. and data literacy will protect and expand your career options.

The Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and related regulations set employer responsibilities for safe workplaces. Manufacturing workplaces require strong safety, health, and environment (SHE) practices – including everything from PPE, and lockout/tagout, to machine guarding, hazardous chemical handling, and regular training.

The Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 and Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) regulate hiring, dismissal, working time, overtime, and leave. Shift work and overtime are common in manufacturing; overtime rules and wage scales must follow BCEA stipulations.

Unions are active in many manufacturing workplaces, and collective bargaining agreements frequently determine pay and conditions in large plants. New hires should check whether a workplace is unionised, and what collective agreements apply before accepting any offer of employment.

For more on trade unions in South Africa, click here.

Sector leaders (i.e. automotive OEMs and tier suppliers, food and beverage multinationals, chemical firms, big metals and engineering groups) are major employers.

Examples historically include vehicle manufacturers, large food processors, engineering groups and steelmakers – but hiring patterns change with market cycles.

For current vacancies, check company career pages, major job boards, and sector bodies. Government investment agencies and industrial development corporations also list tenders and training programmes that can lead to you being hired.

Check out national job portals, company career pages (i.e. of the major OEMs, FMCG firms, and engineering groups), and sector bodies and SETAs (who often advertise learnerships and apprenticeships).

LinkedIn is useful for especially for technical, supervisory, and professional roles, while recruitment agencies specialising in manufacturing and the technical trades are also a good bet.

Local TVET college noticeboards and union/worker forums may showcase artisan opportunities. Just be sure to apply with a concise CV, which emphasises relevant certificates (trade test, safety tickets), and be ready to prove your practical skills (tests or trial shifts are common in an interview).

Keep your CV compact and practical, including your contact details and a short one-line profile (e.g. “Qualified fitter and turner with five years’ continuous plant maintenance experience”).

Include your education and qualifications (trade test, diplomas, SETA certificates, and safety tickets), along with your trade test number if you have one. Any practical experience can be listed using bullet points, that show tangible outcomes (e.g., “Reduced downtime by X percent through preventive-maintenance schedule; performed PLC troubleshooting on [machine type]”).

The last page should showcase your skills as far as machines, software, specific tools, and safety competencies are concerned, and provide a few choice references, i.e. supervisors or training assessors able to verify your workplace skills. Independent references from reporting managers (not just referees listed by candidates) are highly useful in this market.

You should be ready to talk about your practical experience, i.e. the machines you have worked on, any maintenance routines, and typical faults you have fixed. If you’re applying for an artisan or other technician role, expect a practical skills test or an on-site trial.

Prepare also for behavioural questions, i.e. do you enjoy teamwork, how have your dealt with safety incidents in the past, and what is your problem solving ability like, when under pressure.

Show awareness of shift patterns, and readiness for any overtime or rotating shifts, if applicable; and bring along copies of trade test certificates, your ID, and any safety tickets you already have under your belt.

Here a YouTube clip produced by InterviewGuide, intended to equip you to ace your next production job interview.

A common progression route involves starting as a production operator → gaining experience and internal training → moving laterally into maintenance or quality → pursuing a trade test or learnership → qualifying as an artisan → specialising (e.g. in PLC, CNC, process tech) → taking on a supervisory/engineering role.

Proactive upskilling (night classes, TVET, SETA courses) and taking on extra responsibilities (maintenance tasks, quality checks) will accelerate your progression. Seeking mentorship from a senior artisan or engineer, who seems invested in your career progression, is also a very good idea.

Manufacturing has historically been male-dominated, especially in heavy industry and artisan trades – but many employers and government programmes now emphasise inclusion, women in engineering/apprenticeships, and transformation targets.

Women entering the sector can face cultural challenges, but many companies have active diversity programmes and opportunities in quality, production planning, HR and technical roles. Seek employers with visible diversity commitments, and be sure to connect with supportive networks and sign up for mentorship programmes. The Women In Manufacturing (WIM) website is likely to be a great resource in this regard.

Manufacturing is cyclical, meaning it can be vulnerable to export demand, local consumption, and input costs (energy, raw materials).

However, core technical skills (artisans, maintenance, PLC) are relatively resilient because every plant needs them regardless of output levels.

Management and senior roles can be exposed in downturns, but skilled technical specialists usually remain in high demand. For more on the 10 most in-demand manufacturing skills, click here.

A list of seven great tips would include:

• getting a trade or technical qualification – artisan skills pay off;
• gaining exposure to maintenance and diagnostics – electrical and mechanical maintenance experience is invaluable;
• learning the basics of PLCs and automation – even fundamental knowledge helps;
• building a safety mindset – companies prioritise safe, reliable workers;
• joining a SETA programme or looking for learnerships – they’re a good stepping stone in this hugely practical industry;
• networking locally – plant contractors, suppliers, and local college contacts are often the source of job leads;
• remaining adaptable – ability to do shift work, to put in overtime, and your interest in gaining a multitude of skills will significantly increase your employability.

Recent news reporting has highlighted steel plant struggles and potential closures, with substantial direct and knock-on job impacts in affected regions. You are therefore advised to remain aware of:

• plant closures or restructuring in vulnerable sub-sectors (long steel, some heavy metals). High profile cases have led to large job losses and related supply-chain impacts;
• informal/unstable contracts: avoid dubious “agency” arrangements; verify terms and ensure worker rights are protected;
• safety risks because manufacturing can be hazardous; check whether workplaces have a strong safety culture and documented training protocols;
• any skills mismatches i.e. your on-the-job reality may differs from the advertised descriptions. From your side, always be honest about your level of expertise, and keep on learning.

Here's some important information about a pending ArcelorMittal plant closure.

Interventions include industrial incentives, support from the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (dtic), Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) financing for transformation projects, SETA training support, and sector-specific programmes (automotive incentives, localisation programmes).

These all aim, in one way or another, to enhance competitiveness, support skills development and retain jobs – though success depends on broader economic conditions and the effectiveness with which they are implemented.

Read more about the role of MERSETA, here.

You should ideally prepare for:

• automation and digitisation, i.e. skills in PLCs, robotics, IIoT, and basic data analytics;
• sustainability and energy transition, i.e. energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and environmental compliance;
• advanced manufacturing i.e. additive manufacturing, precision engineering in specialised sub-sectors;
• a greater focus on reliability and predictive maintenance – condition-monitoring skills will be prized;
• lifelong learning, because careers will involve periodic reskilling as technologies change.

Read more about your data-driven career, here.

Be sure to tick off each of the following five job-application aspects:

• compile an up-to-date CV focused on your practical experience;
• make copies of all trade tests, certificates, and your ID document;
• include copies of any safety tickets, that allow you to safety operate a forklift or crane (if applicable to the role);
• include a short cover note, linking your skills to the advertised role;
• don’t forget to add references who can vouch for your hands-on competency (supervisors, trainers).

Four authoritative sources or places to look, are:

• Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) – for their QLFS/QES labour stats and wage aggregates;
• the Department of Trade, Industry & Competition (dtic) – for their industry reports, incentive programmes, and export statistics;
• the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and sector-specific bodies – who often publish investment reports and case studies by sector;
• the SETAs and TVET colleges – for learnerships and artisan training info;
• industry trade associations, independent research institutes, and reputable news outlets – for their current updates on sector developments (e.g. Automotive Business Council reports, trade press).

Conference Alerts suggests that you attend the likes of the International Conference on Manufacturing Systems (16 August 2025), the International Conference on Sustainable Intelligent Manufacturing (13 September), and the International Conference on Mechanical & Production Engineering (11, October, all of which are scheduled for Johannesburg); together with the International Conference on Green Manufacturing and Product Design, due to take place in Soweto on 22 November, and the International Conference on Manufacturing Model and Methods, scheduled for Durban on 13 December.

However, the Manufacturing Indaba Conference, taking place from 14 to 15 July 2026, is said to unite industry leaders, policymakers, and investors to tackle challenges and unlock opportunities relating to manufacturing. With a focus on localisation, innovation, and investment, it will offer expert discussions, high-impact networking, and actionable strategies to expand markets, adopt advanced technologies, and shape industrial policy. Find out more, here.