Education & Training

Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) take our jobs in the future? No. But people who know how to use AI effectively just might. The World Economic Forum predicts this shift, which is why our education system must embrace the opportunities AI offers. We must stop treating new technologies as threats or sources of fear.

South Africa’s graduate unemployment rate has surged from 8.7% last year to 11.7% this year, which has prompted questions about the value of a university degree in a struggling economy. However, the question should not be about the value of further education, but rather the systemic - yet clearly identifiable and addressable - issues that continue to cause barriers to employment post-graduation.

Young people are struggling to find jobs. At the same time, businesses can’t get the skills they need to grow. That’s why technology education is being pushed out of academic siloes to support young talent and help them access world-class, practical and hands-on training.

Graduation often looks like the finish line, but for many of us, it is just the beginning. Drawing on years of mentoring graduates and working closely with industry, I challenge the idea that a qualification alone is enough. Instead, I offer a fresh perspective on turning academic achievement into career momentum, with practical insights for both recent and mature graduates who are ready to move forward with purpose.

As industries transform rapidly, the question facing every graduate is no longer “What do you know?” but “How ready are you to change?” From automation and artificial intelligence to remote work and economic shocks, the rules of employment are being rewritten. Today’s job market values adaptability, data fluency and critical thinking more than ever.

South Africa’s unemployment crisis is a national tragedy. Stats SA in the final Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) for 2024 confirmed the scale of the challenge - too many are seeking work and finding only frustration. But what if this crisis could be rebranded as an opportunity? What if there’s a way to equip jobless South Africans with the skills they need to build real careers, even if it means setting them up to look for overseas opportunities first?

South Africa is undermining its own growth if it doesn’t consider the meaningful impact of private institutions in solving capacity constraints in higher education. The oversubscribed demand for public universities reflects a far more profound systemic issue.

The pace of change in the workplace is accelerating at an unmatched rate. To thrive in this competitive environment, companies must prioritise learning (and the ease of accessing learning). They must also elevate this function to the forefront of their strategy. This focus is especially crucial given the rapid advancements in AI and technology.

The network effect of building your own professional network early in life offers huge advantages. However, most graduates are unaware of the benefits of building connections with a large number of people working in their industry. Graduates are also unsure of how to create a significant professional network.

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate stands at an alarming 44.6% for individuals aged 15-34. This sobering statistic reflects challenges such as limited work experience, educational gaps and economic hurdles.