Do a degree that makes you employable

AS MANY matriculants jostle for space in the country’s tertiary institutions, there should be a concerted effort to ensure they pursue careers that fill the void of critical and depleting skills that make them employable and are critical to the country’s development.

The fact that there are so many unemployed graduates illustrates the lack of proper guidance in terms of career choices.

A degree or diploma doesn’t make you employable. A qualification needs to be accompanied by an assessment of the sort of skills required by the economy.

When employment statistics are released each quarter, we are likely to see an increase in youth unemployment. Granted, a number of those have not studied past high school, but a significant number of people with tertiary qualifications can’t find jobs. The sobering reality is that their qualifications are not relevant in the economy.

Although strides are being made to close the void in fields like engineering, a lot more still needs to be done. The shortage of these skills in our economy means more students need to pursue careers that address the poverty of skills in the engineering sector.

This is even more important given that the South African economy is the second-biggest on the continent. We can’t afford to rely on importing skills for our economic stability.

Our prospective students must pursue careers that drive the development of the country, thus creating jobs.

It is interesting to note that South Africa, which ranks among the driest countries in the world, does not have many young people choosing careers in the water sector. There is much talk about the Fourth Industrial Revolution, but South Africa can never participate meaningfully in this revolution without having the necessary skills in the water sector.

As a result, the Department of Water and Sanitation is working to guide young people towards careers in the water sector.

The department is doing this through programmes including Baswa Le Meetsi, the Aqua Enduro and the South African Youth Water Prize competition.

Thus, of the pupils that qualify to enrol for diplomas, a number of them should follow careers in the water sector. There is a skills shortage in this sector and our desire is to see it grow. We would like to see young people who enter the tertiary education system being directed towards careers that ensure they are presented with employment opportunities.