MEDIA RELEASE: EMERGING LEADERS INSTITUTE
For immediate release
13 January 2017
WHY A BRIDGING SKILLS SHORT COURSE IS NECESSARY FOR MATRICULANTS TO SECURE
EMPLOYMENT
As the excitement for the class of 2016 begins to subside, the grim reality of securing
employment in South Africa is another hurdle they’ll have to face as unemployment rates
continue to soar.
As the quality of education standards in the country has also regressed, the National Senior
Certificate (NSC) is no longer viewed as valuable as it used to. Hence the reason securing
your NSC is only, the first step in the education cycle currently needed in South Africa to
secure employment.
A recent open letter by Dr Jonathan Jansen, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Free
State that was published on Business Live - January 2017, on current education in South
Africa, quotes Dr Jansen warning matriculants that the standard of education is very low and
even the top performers are not as smart as they think.
“Passing grade 12 in South Africa is actually quite easy, and it means very little. The
standards are low and the marks are adjusted upwards for most subjects,” said Jansen.
This paints a very gloomy future for matriculants entering the job market. Employment
experts have further warned that only about 7% of matriculants find employment. Currently
the higher education system has space for only 18% of matriculants, usually taking the top
best in the country, then the system is full. Alternatives are other Further Education
Training (FET) colleges, or trade schools. Youth unemployment rate stands at a staggering
50%, according to recent report by Statistics South Africa.
This report further suggests that young people in the South African labour market bore the
brunt of the economic crisis. Over the period 2008–2015, key labour market rates
deteriorated by a larger margin among youth compared with adults, and the frustration of
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not finding employment has led many young people to become discouraged and exit the
labour force altogether.
There is a need for more matriculants to focus on other education courses to upskill
themselves so that they are employable. As the job market is also under strain with the
current economic issues, jobs are a scarce resource. Employers are also looking to hire more
skilled matriculants and with just a NSC your chances are limiting.
Professor Ihron Rensburg, vice-chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, provided a
practical solution for unemployed matriculants. He emphasised the fact that the standard of
education in South Africa has lowered, and that matriculants need to increase their skills
base by doing short courses that can add value to the job market.
“If you want to enter the job market, a shorter course at credible colleges and institutions is the way
to go. A National Senior Certificate (NSC) is increasingly less valued by the labour market. Ten years
ago, an NSC was very highly valued; that’s no longer the case. You need to have a NSC, plus
something else (like a short course) to become employable,” says Rensburg.
Henry PC Meyer, Founder of Emerging leaders Institutes, says “The Emerging leaders institute is one
such organisation that is helping to curb the country’s educational burden, by offering short courses
to unemployed matriculants, that prepares them with adequate skills for the job market. The course
boasts a high success rate and had empowered past graduates to branch out into different careers.
ELI has partnered with a number of stakeholders in various sectors and will provide a one-stop shop
for ELI graduates at the Nelson Mandela Gateway Auditorium. Representatives from these sectors
will use this platform to assist with practical and sustainable solutions and thus enabling them to
carve a successful career for their future.”
The two-hour course – spread over five days - is scheduled to take place at the Nelson Mandela
Gateway Auditorium from January 30 to February 3, 2017. In addition, ELI also offers TeleConference training and individual and group sessions can be scheduled from their website.
For more information go to: www.emergingleaders.co.za
Ends
http://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/P02114.2/P02114.22015.pdf
Issued by: Emerging Leaders Institute
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