Increasing your chances of landing a job

Is a degree enough to guarantee employment?

Without a doubt, skills are becoming more and more handy to have when applying for a job.

The question is, have skills and work experience become more important than a degree?

In previous generations, a degree was considered a must if you wanted to get a high paying job.

However, with the time and money it takes to get a qualification these days you can’t always be sure it’s still the best path to professional success.

According to a Skills Assessment survey conducted by iLembe Chamber of Commerce and the iLembe LED Vuthela Project, employers want graduates with both theoretical and practical knowledge and skills.

While a large number of university courses now include some work-based learning, those experiences can be limited in time and extent of experience.

The competitiveness of the South African job market makes work experience essential for individuals, which most companies prioritise.

The recent iLembe Chamber survey revealed that the most significant recruitment challenge faced by 61 percent of applicants was the lack of technical skills.

Youth unemployment affects the social and economic development of South Africa.

Although the demand for higher skilled and educated labour has increased since 1994, young job seekers with a tertiary education still struggle to find their first job.

Lack of work readiness bore the brunt for unemployed graduates, who were out shined by more qualified applicants, who have already gained some form of experience.

Students who spend a year working in industry during their tertiary education have the edge when it comes to getting a job.

The survey noted that employment is much higher among jobs that require an average or above-average level of preparation (including education, experience and job training); average or above-average interpersonal, management and communication skills; and higher levels of analytical skills, such as critical thinking and computer skills.

The future of work won’t be about degrees. More and more, it will be about skills.

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