We don’t need no education, just jobs

EDUCATION is considered a key that opens doors and eliminates poverty, unemployment and other social issues like crime.

Young black South Africans are more likely to get a tertiary education today compared with the youth of 1976.

Government and private companies support many young people who want to pursue their dreams. People from a disadvantaged background can apply to the national student financial aid scheme or for bursaries.

Yet, as more graduates are struggling to find jobs and the unemployment rate keeps rising, does education still have the power to change the world?

A few weeks ago there were reports that a B-Tech chemical engineering graduate was employed by Sasol after she had been battling to find a job.

Her last-ditch effort worked when she held up a banner on a street corner with her qualifications on it.

How can this issue be addressed? Are young people now discouraged from getting a tertiary qualification?

“What worries me is that people like Jacob Zuma and Cassper Nyovest are successful and they do not even have a matric,” said Nqobile Nkosi, 19, a first-year public relations student.

He added it’s a concern that they are role models to many young people.

Nkosinathi Langa, 25, said his brother had graduated as a chartered accountant, but had been unemployed for three years.

“Issues like nepotism are affecting people like my brother, who got his qualification but has not been employed since 2012,” he said.

We all know that unemployment is still one of the major issues in South Africa, but what procedures are graduates following in finding a job?

Are they all aware of the recruitment agencies, social media, Linked In and newspaper advertisements?

Students like Sinothile Mvubu, 22, decided to study a course that she believes will get her a job, but which was not her passion.

“I wanted to do drama or something creative, but (after) looking at the statistics for media courses I ended up doing animal reproduction,” said Mvubu.

Sinethemba Mngoma, 23, said: “I have always wanted to be a nurse because I love helping people in need, but I ended Students study in the university library. Many are asking why they study for so many years, only to find they are unable to get jobs afterwards. up doing teaching at Unisa because I applied late and I didn’t want to spend the whole year doing nothing.”

Ntombikhona Precious Mvubu, 21, has a diploma in media studies but it was not her first choice.

“I actually wanted to study social work but, because I grew up in a village where opportunities were limited, I took whichever choice came first,” she said.

Luyanda Mgeyane, 19, said: “I am currently studying elec- trical engineering at DUT. I chose it because I was told it is one of the best-paying jobs and it will be easy for me to find work. When I was in Grade 10 I chose all the science subjects as I was told science was for those who want to be rich.”

Unemployment rate has increased

THE biggest challenge facing young people across the country is unemployment.

The Stats SA quarterly labour survey shows that the unemployment rate increased in the first quarter of this year from 24.5 percent to 26.7 percent from the previous quarter.

South African business expert and author Ann Bernstein said some of the reasons for joblessness was a lack of skills and skills transfer.

She warned that substantial growth in the country’s economy was needed if government hoped to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment in the near future. – Staff Reporter