Graduates entering SA workforce are optimistic

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Released in August this year, the first ever PPS Student Confidence Index, conducted with approximately 170 students, received a 79% confidence level when respondent students were asked if their qualifications adequately prepared them for their respective professions.

Kay Vittee, CEO of Quest Staffing Solutions, says, "Although it is often assumed that a tertiary institution and the two, three or four year academic syllabus will result in a graduate knowing all there is to know about their chosen field, this is not always the case. These qualifications, even if focused on high demand skills, are often centred on theory rather than the practical skills and experience with team work and interpersonal communication."

With the catch 22 of needing experience to get a job and not being able to gain experience without a job, Vittee suggests graduates and students who are still studying make an effort to gain practical experience, even if it means earning little or no money for a few months.

"A good way to do this is through internships and learnerships which students can enter into both while and after completing their qualification," she says.

A 71% confidence level

The PPS study also saw a surprising 71% confidence level when respondents were asked about the job opportunities available to them in South Africa once they graduate.

"As the students surveyed were completing degrees in professional fields such as engineering, medicine, law and commerce, this level of optimism about finding a job and working in South Africa is extremely positive following years of mass brain drain in some of these industries," she adds.

However, Vittee notes that the South African youth unemployment rate remains a concern and cannot be ignored by graduates.

"Although graduates, after years of studying, may stand a higher chance of finding a job in these difficult times, youth unemployment stands at about 36.1% - according to Statistics South Africa's June 2014 announcement," says Vittee.

While the numbers for education and skills development have improved, Vittee highlights that this seems to have little to no effect on improving the unemployment rate.

Vittee says, "A higher educated youth will also not necessarily result in a higher level of employed youth as the fall in numbers has been largely attributed to a mismatch between the types of skills youth equip themselves with and the types of skills employers are looking for."

"Basically what this means is that, to be truly optimistic about finding a job, youth need to consider which skills are required in South Africa and which are perhaps lacking. This confirms the optimism by the youth surveyed in the PPS Index who have studied specific degrees in high demand, professional industries," she says.

During this time, when graduates are considering testing the "job market waters", Vittee offers some tips on what employers are looking for in a new graduate, other than their framed degree or diploma.

What employers want in a graduate:

• The right skills - Ask yourself, do both you academic and "soft" skills (communication skills, people skills etc.) suit the company you are applying to work for.
  
• Experience - Find any and every relevant work opportunity. Internships and learnerships give graduates the edge over their peers, gaining practical experience in their chosen field before even being qualified.
  
• Eagerness to learn - So maybe you lack some on the job practical skills, show your enthusiasm to hit the ground running and learn on the go.
  
• Leadership skills - Take initiative if and where you can. Just because you are starting out and are viewed as a junior doesn't mean your ideas will be side-lined. Sometimes just getting involved will get you noticed.