Practical advice for the future of work from skills development experts

Look for the jobs that our country needs, start small and learn the skills that back up your talents

Jamaine Krige

Skills development experts advise young people and job seekers to think outside the box and have a future-focused approach to guarantee economic participation and future career sustainability.

Zukile Mvalo (Deputy Director General - Skills Development Branch): Department of Higher Education and Training:

“Be curious — speak to career development counsellors and look to the future to see what skills will be needed going forward. As the Department we regularly publish a list of occupations in high demand - consult this, as well as the list of critical skills, when making career and skills development decisions. These are the skills you should be chasing.”

Thembinkosi Josopu (NSA Deputy Chairperson) representing Community Constituency:

“We very rarely start at the level we aspire to reach, so start somewhere and develop your skills. Simply by participating in the workplace you will start creating networks and growing yourself as a person and as a professional. Also, never underestimate the importance of technical and vocational training. These artisans can start working the moment they qualify, start their own businesses and employ others.”

Khani Mhlongo (NSA Member ) representing – Employment Services:

“Every person needs to understand their unique value proposition and their unique talents that they bring to an organisation, a team or a project, and then develop the technical skills to support that talent. This might mean developing a basic computer literacy, or focusing on soft skills.”

Lazelle van Kramberg (NSA

Deputy Chairperson) representing Organised

Labour:

“Go for a qualification that is tangible and will give you work now. There’s nothing wrong with starting with a foundation qualification to help you on your journey, in a field that has easy access and can start generating you an income, even if you decide to study further later in life. Develop yourself in the localised industries around you and see how you can plug into the existing skills pipeline.”

Zamokwakhe Khuzwayo (NSA Deputy Chairperson) representing – State:

“Align your skills development and career with people’s basic survival needs. Health workers will always be necessary, as will plumbers and electricians. If you’re good at baking - people are always going to eat! Stick to skills, qualifications and careers that will enable you to survive without having to seek employment from someone else.”

Dr Olwethu Sipuka (NSA Member) representing – Community Constituency and member of the Disabled People of South Africa:

“Technology is your friend and will help you prepare for the future of work. Embrace it. Investigate what skills you need to participate in the ‘gig economy’. While your initial entry into the digital space can be expensive, see this as an investment into your future.”

Thandeka Masondo (NSA Deputy Chairperson) representing Education and Training Providers:

“Soft skills and work-readiness programmes are important. Participating in programmes that assist you in developing the mindset, the culture and the heart needed to succeed. Be willing to go the extra mile!

“If you foreground those values from the start, then you have people who are ready, and who say ‘Whatever comes, bring it on, because my mind, my heart and my hands are ready!’ ”