High unemployment rates and university graduates

The increase in the number of unemployed people in the country to an all-time high of 34.4% during the second quarter of the year, can impact graduates, says MANCOSA academic Meshel Muzuva.

She said employers often preferred to employ those with previous work experience and a higher level of education. Employers maintained a perception that graduates should be equipped with workplace-related skills.

“When graduates find themselves unemployed, poor psychological, physical, and emotional health and wellbeing may follow.

“This impacts upon the motivation and drive to actively seek employment, which in turn lessens the probability of unemployed graduates securing employment in the labour market,” said Muzuva, adding that to boost students’ confidence, higher education institutions had a role to play too.

In addition, graduate unemployment is particularly caused by a mismatch between the skills demanded by the economy and the skills supplied by graduates resulting in structural unemployment among graduates.

Hence, Muzuva said there is a need for collaboration between industries and universities to target this mismatch. It is important that universities produce graduates with a skills profile that matches current demand trends and become informed about the future skill needs of the economy.

She said that MANCOSA has implemented a number of initiatives and mechanisms in an attempt to ensure graduates are provided with a broad and well-rounded education that equips them with theoretical and practical knowledge that helps them get industry ready.

“They are armed with more than a simple qualification and are developed into agile and adaptive graduates who are critical thinkers and can demonstrate creativity and communicate effectively.

“MANCOSA has a dedicated online portal, MANCOSA Career Center which provides students with the tools and support to develop their skills, browse and apply to job opportunities, prepare for their job search and connect with potential employers and mentors,” said Muzuva.

Furthermore, the MANCOSA School of Education iTEACH Lab seeks to ensure that MANCOSA teacher graduates are globally recognised for their professional skills, able to teach across diverse school contexts, and are able to utilise technology for teaching and learning. The School of Education also provides students with industry experience that in turn helps them to be employable.