The study explored the impact of the skills shortage on the economic development, unemployment and poverty of the country. The study also explored measures taken by the government and other stakeholders to address the skills shortages. In order to achieve the study's objectives the researcher used a quantitative research method as an instrument of data collection with an interpretational method of data analysis. The research was in 2 parts, a literature review and 200 immigrants completed questionnaires.The finding highlight that African immigrants in Cape Town are most likely to be male...