Dynamics of TVET College Graduate Employability in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Abstract

Very high levels of youth unemployment pose many challenges for the South African society. Obtaining a higher education is seen as one of the solutions to the problem of unemployment. However, unemployment persists among higher education graduates in South Africa. In response, this study explored factors that lead to the unemployment of TVET college graduates in the Nelson Mandela Bay region of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. To do this, qualitative techniques were employed using a case study; participants were selected through a non-probability purposive sampling, an interview guide was administered to collate field notes, and thematic data was analysed. A total of eight (N=8) participants took part by sharing their lived experiences on hindrances in gaining employment after graduating from a TVET college in South Africa. The insights gathered from the participants revealed that a lack of soft skills, misinformation, ineffective course offerings, limited skills, and poor social relations are major barriers to TVET graduate employability in South Africa. We recommend that TVET colleges offer their students courses that foster skills that are required by the job market. To do this, the TVET colleges can collaborate on research with the private and public business sectors to determine these requisite skills. In addition, the TVET colleges must train their students in soft skills that complement their technical know-how.