Mnyandu, Nozipho2024-09-272024-09-272021Mnyandu, Nozipho. (2021). The employability of commerce graduates in the financial services sector [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/41162https://hdl.handle.net/10539/41162A research report submitted to the School of Governance at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master of Management in Development & Economics, Johannesburg 2021This research presents an assessment of the employability factors for Commerce graduates in South Africa. From the perspective of a selected sample of Financial Services sector employers (including specialist recruiters), this study sought to understand employer requirements for graduate programmes in the career fields of Asset/Fund/Investment Management (listed and unlisted), Economics Consulting, and Investment Banking (Advisory). Subsequently, the study addressed five research questions: (i) What recruitment strategies are used by Financial Services sector employer organisations to find graduate talent? (ii) What qualifications affect the employability of Commerce graduates in South Africa? (iii) Are work and life experiences valued for the employability of Commerce graduates in South Africa? (iv) What skills determine the employability of Commerce graduates in South Africa? and (v) What labour market discriminatory factors affect the employability of Commerce graduates in South Africa? Using Pool and Sewell’s (2007) well-known employability model, the Career-EDGE model, the study followed this framework in understanding employers’ employability factors. Using semi- structured interviews, the data were collected from 14 employers that have graduate programmes. The results showed that: (i) there is a growing use of electronic platforms (such as the corporate website, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) to advertise graduate-programme opportunities; (ii) although postgraduate degrees from certain South African universities prove to be highly advantageous; however, a bachelor’s degree from any accredited South African university is a minimum requirement; (iii) some previous work experience (including vacation work) is highly valued by these employers; (iv) from a skills perspective, employers do value transferable skills gained from the university curricula (graduate qualifications), as well as the skills from life experience; and finally, (v) the study showed that labour discrimination does play a role in the selection of graduates. More specifically, most employers have a strong preference for Blacks (Africans, Coloureds and Indians), as well as female graduates.en© 2021 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.Graduate EmployabilityGraduate ProgrammeFinancial Services SectorEmployer PerspectivesSouth AfricaSDG-8: Decent work and economic growthDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg