Mankodi Moitse | CEO | Kagiso Trust | mail me |
We congratulate the class of 2025 following last week’s release of their matric results. The announcement also highlights fast-track pathways to employment through technical and vocational studies.
As the class of 2025 reflects on their results and the class of 2026 settles into the new school year, we have a powerful message for young people: there are 99 high-demand jobs that you can qualify for through technical and vocational education.
Real opportunities available in our economy
Congratulating all matriculants, we have reached a key milestone. Now comes the exciting part: choosing a pathway that aligns with your strengths, interests and the real opportunities available in our economy.
The latest National List of Occupations in High Demand from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) reveals the striking reality: the economy is crying out for skilled workers across numerous sectors.
Of the 350 occupations listed, 99 require certificates at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) levels 1–5. These qualifications can often be obtained in just a year of focused, practical training. This makes 99 high-demand jobs highly accessible to learners seeking quick entry into the workforce.
The business impact of unfilled jobs is severe. According to the 2025 Xpatweb Critical Skills Survey, 89% of businesses said critical skills vacancies harm their operations and stakeholders. These gaps lead to lost productivity, project delays and diminished innovation capacity. Xpatweb says artisans alone represent nearly one in four critical skills shortages. Additionally, 69% of these roles require NQF Level 4 or below.
99 high-demand jobs span the economy
The report says that an ageing workforce, emigration and inexperience among new artisans are creating a 20-year skills gap. This leaves South Africa without a strong pipeline of young, work-ready tradespeople.
The DHET’s 99 occupations at NQF levels 1–5 aren’t obscure or niche jobs. They span many major sectors of the economy:
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Building & Construction
Bricklayers, carpenters, joiners, plumbers and pipe fitters are all in demand as South Africa builds and maintains its infrastructure.
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Engineering & Manufacturing
From welders and boilermakers to millwrights and mechatronics technicians, these skilled artisans keep South Africa’s industrial heartbeat strong. The list also includes toolmakers, fitters and turners, metal machinists and specialised roles such as riggers and patternmakers.
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Electrical & Electronic
Electricians top the list, alongside electrical line mechanics, instrument mechanics, telecommunications technicians and the increasingly important solar installers who support the transition to renewable energy.
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Automotive & Transport
Mechanics, vehicle painters and vehicle body builders are needed to keep the country moving.
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Business & Administration
Office administrators, personal assistants, bookkeepers, accounts clerks, payroll clerks, call centre agents and project administrators form the backbone of every organisation. This sector also includes purchasing officers, stock clerks and import-export administrators.
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Sales & Marketing
Commercial sales representatives, retail buyers, sales clerks, insurance agents and brokers are essential to the economy.
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Hospitality & Tourism
Chefs, tour guides and flight attendants serve local and international visitors, contributing to a vital sector of the economy.
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Healthcare & Community Services
Community health workers, aged and disabled carers, as well as first aid attendants, provide crucial services.
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Security & Safety
Security officers, traffic officers, intelligence operators and special forces operators protect people and assets.
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Technical & Specialised
Geographic information systems technicians, camera operators, interior designers and statistical clerks represent the diversity of skills needed in a modern economy.
These aren’t just jobs; they are careers with genuine growth potential. An electrician can become an electrical contractor. A chef can open their own restaurant. A bookkeeper can become a financial manager. Technical and vocational education are launching pads, not dead ends. The 99 high-demand jobs offer real pathways for economic independence.
Immediate opportunities
There’s also good news for learners who didn’t achieve the results they hoped for. The same government list includes 16 occupations requiring no formal qualifications, such as waiters, hairdressers, receptionists, taxi drivers and forklift operators.
These roles offer immediate entry into the workforce, with opportunities to gain experience and pursue further qualifications later. Everyone’s journey is different. Some will start working immediately and study part-time. Others will invest a year in intensive vocational and technical training to fast-track their careers. Both pathways are valid. Both lead to economic independence.
We encourage everyone in the class of 2025, as well as those who have just started their matric year, to research their options thoroughly, consider their strengths honestly and choose pathways aligned with real economic demand.
Matric results open doors. Then you have to walk through them – towards skills, towards employment and towards the future you deserve.
