In this paper, we consider the case for specific “industries without smokestacks” IWOSS sectors to drive structural transformation that is inclusive and able to generate employment across the skills distribution. We also consider the skill requirements for the potential of these sectors to be realized. We provide a quantitative analysis of labor force survey data and conducted a survey of firms operating in IWOSS. For the quantitative, a series data on gross valueadded (GVA) and individual labor market activities data obtained from Statistics South Africa. We also make use of O*NET, a standardized database of skill requirements from the United States for over 1,000 occupations. The O*NET database provides information on numerous measures such as skills, knowledge, abilities, and education levels required for a particular occupation. The firm survey on employment potential and skill requirements supplements the results of the quantitative analysis. These firm interviews were conducted in the tourism, agro-processing, horticulture, and transit trade sectors. These four IWOSS sectors were selected based on their ability to create several types of jobs across the skills spectrum in South Africa.