Essential skills needed to navigate South Africa's job market, say experts

South Africans need to shift focus to acquiring skills to help get into the new labour market, which predominantly requires soft skills, experts said. 

Economist Dawie Roodt said people should equip themselves with skills which will allow them to function in the modern-day economy.

"We need to understand that economies today are not location-based like they used to be in the past. If you have the necessary skills, a proper computer and internet connection, you can be part of the modern economy, it doesn't matter where you stay or where you live," he said.

Roodt stressed the need for parents and guardians to ensure that their children have what it takes to go into the job market.

"If you want to make sure your children get an opportunity for a good career, you have to make sure that they have the necessary skills to participate in a skills and technologically driven part of the economy," Roodt said.

"You don't need to immigrate, you just have to make sure that you have the necessary skills and other things like a computer and a good internet."

Labour expert Michael Bagraim said South Africans have started exploring international job markets due to the lack of jobs domestically.

"Firstly, we are finding qualified South Africans seeking employment across the globe. Europe seems to be a destination of choice as working conditions of all better and the salary is much higher. It is very difficult for South Africa to compete with strong currencies," he said.

Bagraim cited that businesses have moved out of Johannesburg to the fall in service delivery.

"Secondly, Johannesburg is going through a major retrenchment exercise. The facilities are failing, and public service delivery is almost nonexistent. The city council and the municipalities are almost bankrupt, and their businesses are trying to relocate across the country as opposed to remaining in Johannesburg. Electricity, roads, water, and general maintenance is at an all-time low."

Bagraim said there was data to show that Johannesburg was no longer the place to go for career advancement purposes. 

"Thirdly, the best capacity is Cape Town, and the Western Cape is a thriving province. The Western province has kept its unemployment rate to less than 20% as opposed to 40% nationally. The provincial government and the various municipalities are solvent and providing the service the business community needs."

Sharing different sentiments from that of Bagraim, Mathopane Masha, the executive director for economic development in the city of Johannesburg, said the city remains a place where people can seek economic growth.

"The City aims to grow the economy by 3% by 2030. The City’s economic growth strategy provides instruments to drive growth and inclusivity."

Johannesburg remains a city of opportunities and an investment gateway into Africa and the global economy. In the 2023/24 financial year, a total of R7 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) was realised in the City, affirming investor confidence. 

Additionally, more than R20 billion in investments are realised annually, reinforcing our status as a credible destination where businesses can grow and thrive.

Masha said they are making efforts to mitigate the issue of falling public infrastructure and service delivery.

"The City is aggressively investing in resolving basic service delivery challenges to create a conducive environment where businesses can flourish and create much-needed jobs for the youth," Masha said.

"The Inner City Revitalisation Programme remains one of our high-impact initiatives. It has resulted in catalytic investments in transit-oriented development, real estate expansion, and inclusive economic interventions such as street beautification and investment in trading infrastructure," he said.

 "Moreover, the City is focusing on strategic economic interventions in townships aimed at creating employment opportunities for young people. This includes technical training programmes to ensure the development of the requisite skills for the economy we are building." 

Gauteng Provincial Government spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, said the province still remains a destination of choice for economic activities.

"Gauteng remains a province of choice for many people, not just South Africans but those coming from other countries as well," Mhlanga said.

The Gauteng Provincial Government is seized with tasks of building a resilient economy and providing jobs for its citizens, he said.

"In this regard, we have identified focus areas. The key provincial priorities include driving inclusive growth, reducing poverty, tackling the high cost of living, and urgently addressing the G-13 priorities such as water security, crime reduction, and electricity stability, into a clear and actionable framework for each department."

Mhlanga said the provincial government has the responsibility to ensure that all the cities become economic hubs.

"It is our responsibility not only to restore but ensure that our cities become economic hubs. The infrastructure upgrades and beautification programmes are aimed at improving the environment for a conducive atmosphere for people to enjoy."

Johannesburg residents said that there were not enough jobs for people in the city. 

Musa Nyathi, who runs an upholstery business, said: "I used to be employed, but the company had problems and unfortunately I was part of those who were let go, so now I am using these skills to sustain myself in the form of a small business even though I can go two months without any income."

Brandon Hlathi said: Some of us have skills; however, we are not university or college verified, and it makes it very difficult for us to go into sustainable employment. It is always odd jobs. 

"Besides that, we don't have the money to start our own businesses. I hope to get money to buy some machines so I can start working and I'll create jobs in the long run."

The Star