Why Are Scarce Skills So Important?

Scarce skills are important because they can give you an advantage in your career life. With scarce skills, you will not stay for long on the job market.

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Last Updated : February 23, 2023

Scarce skills are important, here is why:

  • Help move the companies forward
  • Assist in prospering the country
  • Earn a good salary
  • No work scarcity

Help Move The Companies Forward

When employers are able to secure the services of people with scarce skills, this means that production increases in their companies. This is because there will be no delays in production or no production at all because no one has the right skills for the job. This also means that revenue for the companies increases.

Assist In Prospering The Country

When companies increase production because they have the relevant skills set in their companies, their income also grows. When the income of the companies grows, the tax base for the government also increases. When tax revenue for the government increase, spending on social services also increases. 

This can lead to the country’s prosperity.

Earn A Good Salary

When an employer values your skill, they will make sure they retain you by paying you a competitive salary. Besides having a comfortable lifestyle, you will also have peace of mind due to the realisation that, because you have a scarce skill, your job is secure.

No Work Scarcity

Because you have a scarce skill, there is no scarcity of work for you. You can even have the luxury of choosing to work for an employer who offers you the highest salary and better conditions of service.

What Is Meant By Scarce Skills?

Scarce skills are those skills that are hard to find. Skills that not many people possess in the workplace. In other words, it is a scarcity of qualified and experienced people for performing a specific task.

What Are The Scarce Skills In South Africa?

Here is the scarce skills list for South Africa for 2022 as announced by the Department of Home Affairs:

  • Zoologist
  • Director (Enterprise organisation, medium or larger)
  • Supply and Distribution Manager
  • Chief Information Officer
  • Call or Contact Centre Manager
  • Mineralogist
  • Aeronautical Engineering Technologist
  • Naval Architect
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Agricultural Engineer Technologist
  • Multimedia Designer
  • FET Phase School Teacher Grades 10 – 12 (STEM subjects only)
  • Senior Phase School Teacher Grades 8- 10 (STEM subjects only)
  • Tax Professional
  • Forensic Accountant
  • Policy Analyst
  • Corporate Treasurer
  • Internal Auditor
  • Occupational Instructor (Air-Traffic Space)
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • Economist
  • Air Traffic Controller
  • Metal Machinist
  • Lift Mechanic
  • Transportation Electrician

What Are Scarce Skills Courses?

Scarce skills courses are those courses that can equip you with scarce skills. Here are ICB courses that can equip you with scarce skills: 

What Are The Requirements For The ICB Scarce Skills Courses?

Here are the requirements for the ICB scarce skills courses:

  • ICB Financial Accounting
    • Grade 10 (NQF 2)
    • Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate
    • No prior accounting knowledge needed
    • You must be 16 years or older
    • Able to read, write and understand English
    • Be able to study through distance learning
  • ICB Business Management
    • Grade 11 (NQF 3)
    • Grade 11 Equivalent Certificate
    • ICB Junior Bookkeeping: National Certificate
    • You must be 16 years or older
    • Able to read, write and understand English
    • Be able to study through distance learning
  • CB Office Administration
    • Grade 12 or Equivalent
    • You must be 16 years or older
    • You must be 16 years or older
    • Able to read, write and understand English
    • Be able to study through distance learning

Why Should I Study ICB Courses?

Here is why you should study ICB courses:

  • Courses are scarce skills courses – ICB courses are scarce skills courses. This means that the skills that you will acquire are in demand. Employers are actively looking for people with scarce skills. With scarce skill, you are guaranteed the security of your job. With scarce skills, you will also earn a competitive salary. 
  • Courses are accredited – Here are the bodies that ICB courses are accredited with
    • ICB
    • QCTO
    • SAQA 
  • Entry requirements are flexible – Entry requirements for ICB courses are flexible. Here is the minimum entry requirement to ICB courses:
    • Grade 10 (NQF 2)
    • Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate
    • No prior accounting knowledge needed
    • You must be 16 years or older
    • Able to read, write and understand English
    • Be able to study through distance learning
  • ICB courses are internationally recognised – When you complete any ICB course, you can be employed anywhere in the world. This is because ICB courses are internationally recognised. The ICB is an internationally recognised body that was established in 1932
  • You can study  ICB courses anywhere – ICB courses can be studied from anywhere in the country. This is enabled by studying the courses through distance learning. Remember, distance learning is online learning. This is because online tools are used when you study through distance learning.

Why Choose To Study Through Distance Learning?

Here is why you should study through distance learning:

  • Cut costs
    • Transport
    • Teas and lunches
    • Tuition fees are affordable
    • Issued with textbooks and study notes
  • Study anywhere
    • Study at home
    • Study at the office
    • Study during lunch at your workplace
    • Study at the library
  • Study any time
    • Study in the evening
    • Study in the morning
    • Study in the afternoon

What Career Opportunities Are There With ICB Courses?

Here are career opportunities for ICB courses that you can consider:

ICB PROGRAMMECAREER OPPORTUNITIES
ICB Financial Accounting
  • Bookkeeper
  • Credit Analyst
  • Loan Officer
  • Management Accountant
  • Financial accountant
  • Cost Accountant
  • Insurance underwriter
  • Accounts clerk
  • Banking clerk
  • Actuary
  • Economist
  • Payroll Officer
  • Financial Advisor

ICB Business Management

  • Business Manager
  • Business Advisor
  • Customer services Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Sales Clerk
  • Office Manager
  • Business Owner
  • General Manager
  • Marketing Manager
  • Branch Manager
ICB Office Administration
  • Administrative Assistant
  • Office Administrator
  • Office Manager
  • Front-Desk assistant
  • Office clerk
  • Administration Manager

How Long Will Take To Study ICB Financial Accounting

Here is the recommended duration of ICB courses:

What Should I Study After ICB?

You can study further with other institutions of higher learning after completing your ICB  Programme. ICB courses are recognised by other professional bodies. This means that you can get exemptions from other professional bodies with your ICB qualification. 

Here are the professional bodies that recognise ICB qualifications:

  • ACCA – Association of Chartered Certified Accountants – UK
  • CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants – UK
  • IAB – International Association of Bookkeepers – UK
  • IAAP – International Association of Accounting Professionals – UK
  • SAIT – South African Institute of Tax Practitioners
  • SAIBA – South African Institute Of Business Accountants

Author: Collin Wilbesi
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 27, 2022