Graduate unemployment hit 12.2% in the first quarter of 2026 as South Africa’s job market tightened. Yet universities and employers agree the problem is not a lack of qualifications but a mismatch between what graduates have and what workplaces need. Statistics South Africa’s Q1 2026 Quarterly Labour Force Survey showed the official unemployment rate rising…
Anja Bates, head of data at SA recruitment platform Pnet. South Africa is experiencing a measurable disconnect between the academic qualifications employers require and the talent available in the job market, according to the latest Pnet Job Market Trends Report. Data from April 2026 reveals that while 54% of job advertisements over the last year required…
Traditionally, a university education was considered a safe bet for career success – but with today’s rapid pace of change, school leavers now have more options than previously. Image source: DC Studio from Freepik In fact, depending on your career path, choosing an alternative training provider which allows for on-the-job learning could actually give you…
