Skills mismatch threatens South Africa’s university degrees
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA — University degrees in South Africa face a growing threat of becoming irrelevant in the digital economy due to a mismatch in job availability and the current skill set.
According to experts at CNBC Africa’s recent Future of Work Summit, this disconnect could lead to an unemployable generation.
The panel, comprising Barry Vorster from BDO South Africa, Dariel Software’s Alison Palmer, and Joseph Gerassi from Redhill School, underscored the necessity of upskilling and vocational training.
“So, we are in a situation where schools don’t know what the job market wants, and universities and examination boards are ignoring what the job market wants because they are still giving the same knowledge-based exams and tests as the first-time schooling system did,” commented Gerassi.
The panel also cited the World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs” report, which anticipates a major shift in the job landscape by 2027 due to technology adoption and increased digital access. It predicts the creation of 69 million new jobs and the elimination of 83 million existing ones.
“The skills mismatch is contributing to the unemployment crisis. If we don’t [address this], we will get left behind,” Vorster stated.
They advocated for the value of industry certifications over traditional degrees, stressing the need for industry, academia, and recruiters to align educational programs with the evolving job market.
The panelists proposed training, reskilling, and upskilling as potential remedies to narrow the skills gap and address the escalating unemployment problem.
Palmer also noted that employer support and career management teams will be important to effectively prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s economy and society.
