What will happen to the matrics of 2014? We know that some of you that passed will enrol at the country’s universities whilst some will enter other tertiary institutions like Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. However, the majority of you have nowhere to go, hence the question Quo Vadis? Roughly translated this means where are you going? Or, what is your plan for the future? Most matrics of the class of 2014 and previous years will be looking for work or seek an opportunity for further education and training for employment.
But work is scarce. There are insufficient jobs to meet the demand. The average unemployment rate in South Africa for the period 2000- 2014 is 25.27 per cent with the highest at 31 per cent in 2003 and the lowest at 21.5 per cent in 2008. Thus far we have only seen marginal changes. Unemployment is never more so strikingly illustrated than on the corner of our streets where the unemployed congregate to market themselves for jobs.
(Photo: REUTERS)
The critical question about the class of 2014 and previous years is: Are you equipped and capable of participating in the economy directly after school? In the competitive world today, employers need workers to “hit the ground running”. In other words, they need skills that are indispensable to the job requirements. The DHET publishes a list of the top 100 scarce skills every two years. Skills shortages are concentrated in the engineering and built environment occupations and a shortage of engineers, technologists, technicians and artisans has been identified. Below are the top ten listed in 2014:
1. Electrical Engineer
2. Civil Engineer
3. Mechanical Engineer
4. Quantity Surveyor
5. Programme or Project Manager
6. Finance Manager
7. Physical and Engineering Science Technicians
8. Industrial and Production Engineers
9. Electrician
10. Chemical Engineer
These occupations produce several employment opportunities, but it means you must have appropriate education and training and work experience. Effectively, the requirement is a system of education and training that hone such skills. If you did not enrol for any post- school education and training, you should know where you are going and what tools you need.
You can increase your employability by acquiring artisanal skills that can take you places. You can make it with a trade. Choose a skills development and training centre that offers various pathways to become highly employable or start your own business.
The ETC in Port Elizabeth is one of the biggest independent training centres in the country with close to 39 years of unrivalled experience in artisanal skills development. With its impressive workshops and unequalled list of courses on offer, you can choose a learning pathway that suits your needs and future plans. Let ETC show you how to make it with a trade.
Visit us today and make it with a trade.
Randall Jonas
CEO