Unemployment remains a massive problem in South Africa, with the latest figure at 34,9%, as released by Statics South Africa (Stats SA). More alarming is the youth unemployment rate, which reached an all-time high of 66,5% and has been described as the country’s “other pandemic”.
Given the scale of this crisis, South African companies have a responsibility to hire locals, yet many local job seekers lack adequate skills and experience. Organisations end up importing skills rather than playing their role to upskill graduates.
While government continues to talk about embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, there seems to be few private sector initiatives that are actively aimed at addressing the country’s technology skills dearth. Corporates should be urged to meet government halfway and help with the upskilling of young people so that they can be employed.
Many graduates who enter the job market or who join internship programmes are expected to adapt and be up to speed immediately. However, universities do not prepare them for the job market – hence a large portion of them end up frustrated and they drop out of the information and communications technology (ICT) space entirely before even starting their careers.
It is worth mentioning that some ICT companies have recognised the need to offer internship or training courses that equip graduates and job seekers with skills that make them job-ready. These courses present young people with opportunities to gain practical experience and obtain certification before applying to corporates for mentorship or permanent positions.
Ideally, if we are to effectively achieve South Africa’s employment aspirations, such programmes should be underpinned by the three pillars of education, gender equality and health – which align with three of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals.
The education pillar is perhaps the most self-explanatory. While many graduates study Information Technology (IT), several are unable to find jobs once they enter the formal labour market. Skills and training initiatives sponsored and driven by the private sector must seize the opportunity to fill these gaps. This will ensure that graduates are employable by giving them practical skills and bringing them up to speed with industry trends and developments. This is also the most effective way to develop a local skills pool that corporates can draw from.
Graduate training programmes and internships should be positioned to promote better mental health among graduates by empowering them to reach career goals.
We know that technology is a key enabler to addressing global issues, but we need a significant mindset shift.
