SA’s future jobs demand occupational qualifications, not outdated credentials
If South Africa is to beat its unemployment crisis, there needs to be a shift away from pre-2009 occupational qualifications to a new system that connects skills to employment, self-employment, entrepreneurship and lifelong learning.
South Africa's unemployment crisis highlights the urgent need for a shift away from outdated educational credentials, towards a modern system that links skills to employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship. Dr. Makhapa Makhafola, chairperson of the Ministerial Technical Task Team and COO for the South African Qualifications Authority, emphasizes that merely obtaining qualifications is not enough.
The real measure of a successful skills system is whether individuals can utilize their knowledge to secure jobs, excel in the workplace, adapt to economic changes, or create opportunities for themselves and others.
Occupational qualifications, designed around this principle, aim to bridge the gap between learning and job performance. They emphasize what individuals can do with their knowledge, rather than solely focusing on what they know. This shift becomes crucial in an economy where technology, industries, occupations, and business models evolve at a rapid pace. The jobs that will be in demand within the next five to ten years may differ significantly from those prevalent today.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution, characterized by artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization, green economy, advanced manufacturing, new construction technologies, renewable energy, logistics, healthcare innovation, and digital services, is already reshaping the nature of work. Consequently, South Africa requires a qualifications system that can swiftly respond to these changes.
Employment patterns in the second quarter of 2023 revealed fluctuations across various sectors, with increases in trade, construction, and finance, while declines were observed in community and social services, mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
A modern qualifications system must adapt to these dynamics. Occupational qualifications foster a closer relationship between qualifications, occupational requirements, and the skills demanded by the economy. They aim to produce individuals with relevant, demonstrable, and adaptable skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the economy.
This approach goes beyond merely increasing the number of qualified people; it focuses on equipping individuals with practical experience, competencies, and workplace adaptability necessary to remain productive and continue learning as the workplace evolves.
For youth unemployment, which stands at a staggering 47.4%, the current approach of spending years acquiring qualifications with limited job prospects is unsustainable. Occupational qualifications can help narrow the gap between theoretical knowledge taught in institutions and the practical skills required by employers. They can also support entrepreneurship by enabling individuals to understand not only the theoretical aspects of an occupation but also the practical competencies and workplace behaviors essential for success.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
