Strategies to reduce the emigration of engineering professionals in the South African petroleum refining industry.

Ngonyoza, Ntsikelelo Sipho.

Strategies to reduce the emigration of engineering professionals in the South African petroleum refining industry.

Files

Ngonyoza_Ntsikelelo_Sipho_2023.pdf (7.49 MB)

Date

2023

Authors

Ngonyoza, Ntsikelelo Sipho.

Abstract

The South African refining companies have been losing experienced engineers, due to emigration, which has negatively impacted the refinery Operations. This study aimed to explore the factors that affect the emigration of engineers working in the South African petroleum refining industry. The study used a mixed method approach combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques using structured, in-depth interviews and an electronic survey questionnaire. The study participants were refinery engineers with a formal engineering diploma or degree from a recognized University or University of Technology. The findings revealed that more than half of the engineers had a positive emigration potential and were actively applying for jobs overseas (56% for interviews and 52% for the surveys). The preferred emigration destinations were the Middle East and Europe for a duration of 5 years. The engineers were Millennials, aged between 31-36 years with 5-15 years’ work experience. The emigration drivers were a rapidly deteriorating macroeconomic climate resulting in a higher cost of living and unhappiness at work due to poor career advancement, poor work-life balance, and a perceived inaccurate and unreliable performance appraisal system where promotions and recognition awards were affected by manager bias. Some recommendations were to have clear career progression paths incorporating job redesign strategies, reduce appraiser bias in the performance appraisal process, incorporate appraisee feedback, and review company benefits to ensure they meet the work-life balance needs of a changing workforce. The study has contributed to the body knowledge by developing a method to measure the emigration potential of petrochemical refining engineers and plot it on an emigration potential matrix. As well as to better understand the critical factors that lead to a positive emigration potential and propose strategies to reduce it by implementing the developed emigration potential reduction framework.