BUSINESS NEWS - Although degree completion rates are improving, many young graduates still struggle to secure suitable employment in the years after completing their studies.
Dr Renee Minnaar, Dean of Faculty: Hospitality and Tourism at Rosebank International South Africa, said graduates continued to face challenges including underemployment and finding work unrelated to their fields of study.
“Too many graduates continue to experience underemployment or end up in roles that do not align with their field of study, highlighting persistent skills mismatches in the local labour market,” she said.
Minnaar said difficult economic conditions, rapid technological change and evolving employer expectations had contributed to the gap between what students learn and what employers require.
Young professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds can face additional barriers, including limited workplace experience, insufficient professional networks and a lack of workplace readiness.
More work experience needed
Minnaar said universities should strengthen partnerships with government, businesses and state-owned enterprises to provide students with structured internships, learnerships and other forms of work-integrated learning.
Such programmes can give students practical workplace experience before they graduate and help them better understand the expectations of employers.
Universities could also strengthen dedicated career development services, offering support with CVs, cover letters, interviews, psychometric assessments, job applications and the use of applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Digital platforms and alumni networks could further help connect students with potential employers.
Aligning courses with industry needs
Another priority is ensuring that academic programmes remain aligned with changing labour market requirements.
Minnaar said universities should work with employers, professional bodies and sector organisations to regularly review and update curricula.
This could include greater emphasis on digital skills, data analytics, entrepreneurship, green economy competencies and other areas identified as priorities in national skills planning.
Mentorship and workplace skills
Mentorship programmes involving alumni and working professionals could also help final-year students better understand the realities of the South African job market and make informed career decisions.
Minnaar said universities should also place greater emphasis on transferable skills, including communication, leadership, problem-solving, financial literacy and personal branding.
These skills can help graduates adapt to workplace environments and present themselves more effectively to prospective employers.
Employability as part of higher education
Minnaar said universities should monitor graduate employment outcomes, obtain feedback from employers and use the findings to continuously improve their programmes.
“Institutions that closely monitor graduate employment outcomes, gather feedback from employers, and continuously refine their offerings tend to achieve stronger results for their students,” she said.
She said treating employability as part of the higher education mandate could benefit both graduates and the wider economy.
“By strengthening the bridge between higher education and employment, South African universities have a critical opportunity to help reduce youth unemployment and build a more skilled workforce,” she said.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
