Why Many South African University and College Graduates End Up Working as Cleaners and Security Guards: Root Causes and Practical Solutions

Every year, new graduates enter the South African job market searching for employment opportunities, and in most cases, they are unable to find anything decent. Many because there are hardly enough job opportunities, and when there are, they are not the kind of opportunities that recent college graduates would deem as anything to be proud of. To make ends meet, they are forced to take on unskilled jobs such as cleaning, guarding and so on.

This case exemplifies the crises and challenges that arose due to structural dysfunction (defects) in the economy, the education system, and the labor market. The scale of the problem has worsened to the point of being considered a social problem. Even when there is no direct economic output, when a college educated person is unable to be productive (from job knowledge and skills) the nation economy is losing enormous economic potential.

To comprehend the probability that graduates will accept jobs unrelated to their qualifications, one must look at several intertwined elements, including economic stagnation, education/labour market mismatch, experience gap, inequity, and the weaknesses in the development model of South Africa. This research helps in providing guidance to develop a case for a more inclusive and productive economic model.

Economic Factors and Job Scarcity

Perhaps one of the most critical challenges a graduate must face in attaining gainful employment in the profession for which he/she has been trained for is the negative growth of the South African economy. During the past ten years, the economy has collapsed and attempts to grow have been sporadic. When an economy is in a poor state, entities do not grow, do not develop new ventures, and do not employ new people.

When there is sufficient economic growth, there are professional opportunities. Universities continue producing an ever-increasing supply of graduates. South Africa?s economy is stagnating with no expected growth to provide opportunities for graduates.

In the labor market, there are very few job openings, and there are many more qualified graduates than available positions. Graduates often cannot find even entry-level positions, which are often the easiest to qualify for.

Graduates are then forced to take available job offerings, even those that are unskilled, such as security, janitorial work, and even retail.

Education and Industry Mismatch

Another gap in the market is the gap of supply and demand. Universities do teach knowledge and create the ability to think critically, but often they do so using old knowledge and do so in a way where there is a large focus on the theoretical and not enough on the practical.

An employer wants to hire a candidate who is digitally literate and has the relevant experience and know-how and not just the academic knowledge.

Some areas of research and study end up producing more graduates than the job market can accommodate, such as the social and business studies, which do not usually lead to precise job roles. Meanwhile, engineering, IT, and renewables, among others, have described insufficient levels of certain critical skills.

Because of this situation, many graduates end up with qualifications that are irrelevant to the available job postings. In order to make ends meet, many have to take jobs that are not related to their fields.

The Experience Paradox

The experience paradox is one of the most common causes of frustration for young graduates. Many recruiters are looking for candidates that have two or three years of experience, even for entry level roles. This is especially frustrating for recent graduates, as

With job experience, one cannot secure a job. Without a job, gaining experience is impossible.

A lack of experience leads many graduates to temporary employment. These are roles that can demonstrate more of a commitment or a work ethic, but do not contribute in any way to the growth of the individual’s career.

There are internship opportunities available, but they are often limited, have little pay or are only offered in large cities. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds are often unable to move for an internship or work for very little money in an internship, meaning they miss out on important experience that would increase their chances of getting a job.

The last two decades have seen higher education made more accessible throughout South Africa. This offered the first chance for many young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds to enter universities and colleges, which is a major development from the perspective of social justice.

The large number of graduates competing for a small number of professional jobs is a frustrating problem. Too little has been done to stimulate the economy to absorb the expanding supply of educated people.

To make money, employers no longer have to compete for graduates and they are willing to exclude people from professional jobs if they do not have a degree and the experience, and skills they are looking for.

Weak Industrial Development

Economies and societies with advanced services and industries such as manufacturing, engineering, construction, and technology tend to offer a range of employment opportunities to graduate and skilled workers, technicians, managers, and researchers. South Africa has faced a lot of challenges in the last few years with regard to the development of its industries. The manufacturing sectors have had declining outputs, mining employment has decreased as a result of automation of the workforce and changes in the global markets, and the development of infrastructures has come to a halt as a result of the unavailability of funds. Weakening of industrial sectors means fewer opportunities for graduates in engineering, logistics, and technical management. Educated workers in developing countries tend to be frustrated because the industrial sectors are in a weakened state, leading to a lot of unemployed workers in technical fields. South Africa does not have strong technological and research industries, and without strong technological and research industries, South Africa is not able to provide its graduates with the skilled occupations.

Expansion of Low-Skill Service Industries

The professional sectors of the economy tend to grow only marginally, but the low-level service industries have been growing very rapidly. Such sectors as security services, cleaning services, retail, and deliver services have employed a lot of workers as they are able to provide employment with very low levels of training. The low-level service industries, tend to be able to operate with lower levels of costs, and as such are able to provide even more employment.

In South Africa, crime rates are so high that businesses, shopping centers, and residential complexes are hiring more and more private security. This results in an increased need for security employees. Since the requirements for such jobs are not too strict, many newly unemployed graduates apply for these jobs. Many security employees stay in these jobs for a long time, even if they have more skills and a higher education.

Social Networks and Hiring Inequality

Employment opportunities are frequently determined by social and professional standing. Graduates who come from rich and well-connected families often have an easier time obtaining internships, mentorships, job placements, and referrals.

On the other hand, graduates who come from poor and underprivileged families typically do not have these networks. They may have excellent grades, and yet they still are not able to obtain all the information regarding a job and they remain unlinked to the right person in the right position.

This social phenomenon increases the social gap, with each side taking its expected position. Those who have arranged everything do not contribute, while the educated underprivileged remain blocked for the sake of the educational system.

Lack of Entrepreneurial Support

Underemployment of graduates is aggravated by the absence of entrepreneurial opportunities. Many graduates do not even consider starting a business because, in their view, it is too risky and much more complicated than getting a job.

However, it is possible through entrepreneurship to create jobs not only for the self-employed, but also for other employees. Many economies rely on small and medium-sized enterprises for the majority of job creation.

Many prospective entrepreneurs in South Africa may not easily obtain start-up funding, business mentorship, or training in financial management or marketing. Many creative concepts go unimplemented because of a lack of the previously mentioned support.

Geographic Inequality

South Africa has a geographically uneven distribution of economic opportunity. The majority of corporate head offices, tech companies, and banks are located in the major cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban.

Graduates living in rural areas or small towns may have difficulty finding a job of their choice. They may be forced to move to a big city to find a job, which is financially possible for only a few graduates. The cost of housing, transport, and basic needs can be exorbitant.

As a result, a number of graduates choose to remain in their home towns, which have insufficient professional opportunities. They may be compelled to take up work that is available, regardless of their qualifications.

Psychological and Social Impact

The effects of graduate unemployment are not purely economic; there are devastating psychosocial effects as well. Disillusionment, frustration, and loss of self-esteem are typical for young people who have invested many years in their education and have not been able to get any form of meaningful employment.

The families who supported a graduate financially also experience psychosocial effects. In the worst cases, a graduate may feel obliged to take any employment of any nature to avoid highlighting the family’s financial sacrifice.

The psychosocial effects of graduate unemployment also extend to the graduates. The longer the situation, the greater the effects and the greater the chance that the graduate will discontinue efforts to improve the situation.

Potential Solutions

The challenge of graduate underemployment is a social problem that needs the social collaboration of the government, universities, the private sector, and the social sector. Each of these actors has a role to play in their area of influence to narrow the gap between education and employment.

Reforming University Curricula

To prepare graduates for employment in the contemporary world, the very first step is to cultivate the latest skills that are needed by the industry. In this age of information, technical skills, such as coding and computer-related skills, in addition to digital literacy, are critical.

Universities are in the best position to support these skills as a result of their partnership with industry. This is best accomplished by combining theory with practice by including research, projects, and internships from industry. This will improve the preparedness and adaptability of graduates to the world of work.

`Developing Apprenticeship and Internship Initiatives

Before graduating, students need to develop and obtain the much-needed experiences to increase the likelihood of gaining employment. Students gain experiences before graduating from the university, and they gain these experiences. National internship programs targeting students can be created through the collaboration of the public and private sectors. Students can be placed into different industries.

Classroom instructions and practical instructions are provided in the apprenticeship programs in some selected European countries. Such approaches can also be used in South African students to integrate employment and education seamlessly.

Assisting Graduate Entrepreneurship

Graduate entrepreneurship reduces reliance on employment. Graduates, universities, and private investors can collaborate in the creation of startup incubators, where they can offer mentorship, workspaces, and funding.

Entrepreneurship education should also be incorporated into the university curriculum. University students are expected to master the techniques of designing business proposals, sourcing funds, running organizations, and, in the process, develop an entrepreneurial spirit that impels them to engage in entrepreneurial activities.

Strengthening the Manufacturing Capacities and Technologies

For long-term solutions to be achieved, the country’s economy needs to be developed. Manufacturing, renewable energy, information technology, and research institutes are the areas where skilled personnel are created. Such areas also create employment opportunities for the skilled personnel.

The implementation of technology hubs and innovation districts will generate job opportunities for engineering, science, and business management graduates. This will also lead to the creation of business opportunities for local and foreign investors.

Enhancing Career Support

Most students select fields of study based on limited knowledge of current and future job market dynamics. Strengthening career support facilities at secondary schools and universities would enable students to take more purposeful steps in their education.

Providing students with information regarding the skills and fields that are likely to be in demand in the future would help students select courses that will be more likely to lead to employment.

Encouraging Equitable Recruitment

Open and clear processes for recruitment are likely to ensure that job opportunities are awarded based on merit and not due to personal relationships. Therefore, Governments and institutions need to advocate for equitable recruitment regulation.

Also, for the trust in the labour market, the anti-corruption and accountability mechanisms need to be in place.

Final Remarks

The construction of the problem of university and college graduates in South Africa working as cleaners or security guards, job assignments that require a much lower level of education, reflects multiple structural difficulties instead of individual deficiencies. These include the slow rate of economic growth, the gap between the education provided and the demand within industry, lack of work experience, and insufficient support for entrepreneurship.

There is no question that higher education is still exceptionally important. However, it is the development of the economy that will create genuine avenues for skilled workers. Strengthening partnerships with industry, increasing support for entrepreneurship, providing funding for innovation, and expanding internship programs will addre ss the underemployment issue for graduates.

Should South Africa succeed in tailoring its education system to meet the requirements of a contemporary economy, the graduates will be able to optimally exercise their abilities. Rather than having to look for survival jobs, they will be able to take their place as innovators, professionals, and entrepreneurs and play a role in the development of the economy and society.

The challenge is great but with good policies and collaboration, it is possible to turn the challenge of graduate unemployment into a chronic opportunity for the renewal of the nation.