By Nelly Mohale, Head of Human Capital at Decusatio
With graduation season looming in April, a period of anticipation and hope fills the air for countless graduates across South Africa, eager to embark on their professional journeys following the completion of their studies. Yet, against the backdrop of the nation's daunting unemployment rate, currently standing at 32.1%, these graduates face a formidable barrier: the requirement for prior work experience when looking for their first jobs.
To address this issue effectively, it is important to examine the role of higher education institutions in providing support. These institutions can play a vital role by incorporating practical training opportunities such as internships or in-service training across all academic disciplines. The experience gained during these programmes can be considered as valuable work experience for graduates, providing them with a foundation upon which to build their careers.
This approach not only benefits graduates but also assists companies hesitant to eliminate work experience requirements, as they can leverage the acquired skills of fresh graduates.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called upon both public and private sector organisations to reconsider the necessity of work experience for entry-level positions, citing the concerning levels of unemployment among graduates in the country. Addressing the issue, the Minister of Public Service and Administration announced plans in September 2023 to eliminate work experience requirements for entry-level job postings in the public sector, aiming to alleviate the high unemployment rate. The government intends to revise the 2019 Directive on this matter, urging companies in the public sector to adhere to these guidelines, thereby fostering job opportunities for graduates and combating unemployment.