-
South Africa lacks a clear pathway from education to skilled employment
-
3.4 million youth are not in employment, education or training
-
Weak coordination and implementation hinders training and job transition efforts
Despite a proliferation of government initiatives, the transition from education to employment remains out of reach for millions of youth in South Africa. Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Buti Manamela said this at the 2026 National Education Summit in Sandton this week.
Speaking to policy makers, academics and industry representatives, Manmela gave a blunt assessment. He said, there is no shortage of youth in the country, but there is a lack of avenues for skilled work. About 3.4 million young people are not in employment, education or training. He argued that the crisis goes beyond unemployment. This reflects a failure to create a clear career path.
The minister outlined targets, which include 37,000 enrollments in artisan training programs and more than 200,000 workplace learning opportunities. However, experts cautioned that implementation remains weak. Former Director-General of Education and public policy expert Professor Mary Metcalfe described the vision as ambitious but poorly understood by the public. He said vocational pathways remain unattractive, with university education still taking precedence over family aspirations.
The Council on Business and Business Quality reported an increase in accreditation requests from 25,000 to 66,000 in one year, overwhelming the system. Less than 10% of students in N6 technical programs obtain their diplomas, largely due to lack of workplace experience. Manmela acknowledged the issue, saying that the problem is not a lack of programs but their fragmentation, with too much initiative and too little coordination.
The figures reflect wide structural differences. The economy requires about 30,000 artisans every year, but the system produces only 20,000 artisans, the minister said, adding that this shortage is affecting growth. Between 2014 and 2024, the youth employment rate is expected to fall from 30.5% to 27.7%. In 2024, 43.2% of youth were neither employed nor in training. In the first quarter of 2025, unemployment among 15 to 34-year-olds will reach 46.1%, up from 36.9% a decade ago. The summit concluded with a call for closer coordination between government, industry and training institutions.
felicien hoindo lokosou