South Africa has one of the strongest employment markets on the continent with a thriving job market in most industries. However new research has shown that 27% of advertised vacancies favor job seekers with degrees. There has been a 20% increase in the number of job positions that require higher education something that isn’t in abundance among South African employees, only 28% according to the Council of Higher Education. This means that it has become increasingly difficult for employers to find skilled personnel and are looking overseas more than ever to satisfy this demand. Needless to say, having a degree is not the only requirement for many hiring managers but a combination of factors. It’s common to find recruiters preferring to hire candidates that demonstrate greater skill capacity, knowledge, experience and attitude, as opposed to those with nothing more than a degree.
Advantages of having a degree in South Africa
Studying in South Africa is a lucrative undertaking. To begin with, one can negotiate their study schedules with employers, whether for part-time or full-time studies. This gives an opportunity for most people to generate income while still in school. There are also numerous other advantages, including:
- Becoming a respected professional
- Increased chances of promotion
- Increased chances for higher paying jobs across all industries
- Having a degree or other tertiary income impacts the economy of the country positively
- Higher possibilities of being internationally qualified and able to work abroad depending on your choice of career and institution.
Of course, the biggest advantage of having tertiary education in South Africa is the attractive salary that comes with the status. According to reports by Adzuna, the average salary advertised for job listings that indicate degree requirement is about R487,050 (R40,000 per month).
Does High Qualification Improve Job Security?
Unfortunately, having a degree in South Africa does not automatically translate into getting employment. 2017 has been marred with lots of political issues and economic upheavals, making it challenging for people with degrees to get jobs just like for their counterparts without degrees. To make matters worse, some companies are even laying off employees with degrees for fear of them demanding increased salaries with these hard economic times.Although all research findings point to the fact that having a degree can be a big boost to an individual’s earnings, one should be prepared to apply for jobs demanding less qualification. To increase the chances of landing a job, one should also be a member of professional
Although all research findings point to the fact that having a degree can be a big boost to an individual’s earnings, one should be prepared to apply for jobs demanding less qualification. To increase the chances of landing a job, one should also be a member of professional organizations that can help them network with professionals in the same industry.