The employability of the youth attending the Technical and Vocational Education and Training in South Africa

Abstract

In South Africa, the issue of youth unemployment poses a major challenge, as a large proportion of young people struggle to find jobs. Subsequently, graduate unemployment in South Africa is a significant issue, with rates often exceeding the national average unemployment rate. It’s a known issue that many TVET graduates find themselves in jobs that do not match their qualifications. This study aims to add to existing literature on youth unemployment, particularly on TVET graduate unemployment in South Africa. A primary objective of the study is to examine the alignment between the curricula offered at a selected TVET institution in Tshwane and the skills demanded by the labour market in that city, highlighting the challenges posed by a skills mismatch. The study employed a qualitative method rooted in a thematic analysis approach to provide insights into how TVET Colleges can enhance their programs and better prepare students for the workforce. Key informant in-depth interviews, and document analysis were used to collect data. The location of industries determines employability; in Tshwane, the majority of TVET graduates hold employment in the public sector and participate in WIL practicals in both the public and private sectors. The study identified key factors influencing employability, such as practical training opportunities, industry partnerships, and the relevance of the technical programs. The study discovered that industry-college collaboration and partnerships are insufficient and should be improved, and focus on improving continuous processes to collect feedback from companies on the performance of TVET graduates during their WBL experience. It is recommended that there must be active and regular engagements of employers in the training process to work on inputs on program design and training content. The DHET, SETAs, and TVETs must continue working together on strengthening collaboration, so the industry needs to match the present demands.