Unemployed graduates in Gauteng Province: Analysis of demographics and human capital characteristics.
Leshabane, Mabina Ludwick
Leshabane, Mabina Ludwick
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Abstract
Graduate unemployment has been topical over the recent decades as one of the key socio-economic challenges mostly in the developing world. When compared to other SADC countries, in South Africa graduate unemployment is lower. However, the number of graduates struggling to find employment continue growing in South Africa. The current study was focused in the analysis of graduate demographics and their human capital characteristics. To achieve the objectives of the study, a sample of 226 unemployed graduates and secondary sources that focused on the hurdles faced by graduates in their pursuit of employment opportunities. Primary data for quantitative analysis was collected in the Gauteng Province using an online questionnaire. Data was obtained from college graduates; traditional universities graduates and finally from universities of technology based in the Gauteng Province. Results from econometric estimations using binary logit regression analysis indicates that comparing graduates from traditional university and those from universities of technology, with reference to human capital characteristics of the participants, graduates from universities of technology were almost three times more likely to spend more than two years unemployed. In addition, graduates with a degree had almost two and half times the odds of spending more than two years unemployed as compared to graduates with a national diploma or diploma. However, the years spent unemployed did not differ by previous work experience, skills gained, academic performance and family’s monthly income level. Moreover, gender, geographic location of birth, type of qualification, previous work experience, skills gained, academic performance and family’s monthly income did not predict years spent unemployed, but age and highest qualification obtained did. Old graduates had higher odds of being unemployed for more years as compared to young graduates. Graduates with a degree or post-graduate qualification were more than four times more likely to spend more than the two years unemployed than those with diplomas. Furthermore, the study finds that despite positive school results, graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds face additional challenges while trying to find work. Thus, there is need for better integration of qualifications with practical work experience so that graduates are equipped with both theory and work experience when they graduate. Secondly, this study also found that accessible support for jobseekers can mitigate some challenges that are faced by graduates when they look for work.
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Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Magister Technologiae: Comparative Local Development in the Institute for Economic Research and Innovation (IER Department of Economics: Faculty of Economics and Finance: Tshwane University of Technology.
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Date
2023-03-15
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Tshwane University of Technology
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Keywords
Graduate Unemployment, Human Capital Theory, Gauteng, South Africa