Tag: job market

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.

The South African government has concluded its 2025 budget deliberations. It announced a Value Added Tax (VAT) increase of 0.5% from May 2025. It also announced a possible further 0.5% hike by April 2026. These increases are part of measures to address the growing budget deficit.

With the 2024 matric pass rate on the rise, employers face an influx of job applicants. But how can companies ensure they are hiring candidates based on genuine qualifications? South Africa has celebrated a notable increase in the matric pass rate for 2024 - from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3%.

Continuous learning is essential for professionals to stay relevant, adapt to changing demands and advance in their careers. Professionalism demands continuous learning may be a cliché, but the world of work is changing at an unprecedented pace. As the future unfolds, evolving workplace demands require even seasoned professionals to keep learning.

The shifting landscape of the energy sector towards sustainability and efficiency will have implications for workforce and skills development, with organisations needing to explore how to navigate this transition effectively. South Africa’s draft Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) for the energy sector introduces new energy sources such as nuclear, gas and hydrogen into the mix, which calls for proactive measures to be taken to prepare workforces for these incoming technologies.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to supercharge every aspect of business and society, South Africa stands at a critical juncture. Rather than fearing job displacement, we can harness AI to drive widespread growth and prosperity. By fostering local innovation, investing in AI education, and creating a conducive regulatory environment, we can empower citizens and businesses alike.

The phenomenon of job-title inflation has gained traction in South Africa, driven both by young professional’s ambition for accelerated career progression and employers' efforts to engage staff while managing costs. This trend has led to an increase in roles with prestigious titles, such as 'Lead', 'Vice President', or 'Manager', being offered to individuals with limited experience, skills, or corresponding salaries.

Gargantuan and tyrannical unions like the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU), and National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) have leveraged their power, numbers, money, and capacity to threaten violence, and in so doing hold the economy hostage.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been comprehensively embraced in the private sector in South Africa in less than a year, but more must be done to ensure that the public sector – and especially students in public schools and universities – are also empowered and prepared for the future world of work.

Raising the minimum wage may seem like a way to help alleviate the plight of working South Africans, but all it really accomplishes is pricing more and more people out of the job market.