8 October 2007

Thirty-four of South Africa's top companies will be in London this weekend for Homecoming Revolution's London Event, a one-stop opportunity for South Africans living abroad to explore the increasingly attractive job market back home.

Now in its second year, the London Event will enable South Africans who are interested in returning home to meet directly with high-profile employers and recruitment agencies who are searching for talent.

It will also give them a chance to find out about purchasing property back in South Africa, starting up businesses, setting up bank accounts and getting immigration advice.

The focus of the event will be on the growing shortage of highly skilled workers in South Africa as the country accelerates its infrastructure programmes. According to Homecoming Revolution, thousands of jobs are on offer, with the greatest demand in finance, engineering, construction, mining and information technology.

"We are very excited by the interest we have had from corporate South Africa in accompanying us to look for the skills," Homecoming Revolution MD Martine Schaffer said in a statement.

"The skills challenge is not unique to South Africa, and we need to realise that we can no longer take a passive approach to acquiring the skills," Schaffer added. "This event gives us a chance to showcase what is available in South Africa and for many to dispel the misconception that there are no jobs.

"We know that first prize is always going to be to bring South Africans home, and South Africans want to return."

The event takes place at the Kensington Olympia Conference Centre on 13 and 14 October. Alongside the exhibition, various workshops will take place, with speakers include Allon Raiz, CEO of Business Incubator-Raizcorp, scenario strategist and author Chantell Ilbury, and employment agency entrepreneur Penny Streeter OBE, CEO of A24.

"Our speakers have been individually selected for their knowledge and passion and will definitely play a vital role in assisting those who wish to return to South Africa," Schaffer said.

The event will have a "Proudly South African" feel, with a display on SA's state of readiness for the 2010 World Cup and a promotion by South African Tourism. South African musicians will entertain the crowd and SA products will be on sale.

Companies exhibiting are: Academic Partners, Afrizan Personnel, Air Traffic and Navigation Service, A24, Anglo Platinum, Arup, Bateman Engineering, DAV Professional Placement Group, Deloitte, Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, Engineering Link, First National Bank, Grinaker LTA, Group 5, Intrepid HR, Jefferson Wells, Ken Bidgood & Associates, Microsoft, Momentum, Murray & Roberts Cementation, Netcare, Oracle, PAG, Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR), Rand Merchant Bank, Sappi, SAPref, Sasol, Standard Bank, Telkom Media, Toyota, UCS Solutions, Union Swiss, and University of Botswana.

Tickets cost ₤10 per person and will be available at the door. For more information, visit the Homecoming Revolution website or Woza Ekhaya.

Homecoming Revolution is a non-profit organisation, sponsored by First National Bank, aimed at reducing South Africa's skills shortage.

SAinfo reporter

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