How to reduce graduate unemployment

Many young graduates battle to find employment, leading to questions about the value of tertiary education.

Linda Meyer, MD at the Independent Institute of Education (IIE) Rosebank College and president of Rosebank International University College Ghana, says the numbers show that “more education, not less” is required.

According to StatsSA data, the unemployment rate in the first quarter of the year for those with only a matric was about 35%, but 11.7% for graduates.

“Despite the clear case for education — evidenced by consistently lower unemployment rates for degree-holders compared with those with less education — the growing disconnect between tertiary education and employability demands urgent attention,” she says.

Meyer advises:

• Many degrees need to be updated to align with industry needs and prepare young people for available jobs in high-growth sectors, including AI, ICT and cybersecurity;
• Tax and other incentives can encourage businesses to work with universities and colleges to address the skills mismatch;
• Including work-integrated learning in curricula can ensure that graduates leave university with hands-on experience; and
• Teaching entrepreneurship can help young graduates become business owners and job creators rather than job seekers.