PASS matric, get into varsity, graduate and get a job.
This is how life is supposed to be. But this is never the case for a lot of young people.
Many graduates are forced to hustle for piece jobs, while others find themselves settling for a career they have not studied for because of pressure at home.
Struggling to find a job
Phenyo Mogale (26) from Bapong in Rustenburg, North West is a living testimony of this.
Phenyo, an administrative manager at Shoprite in Ellisras Limpopo, was forced to ditch the psychology route when he struggled to find a job for almost a year and a half after graduating in 2018.
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020, things got worse, making it almost impossible for him to market himself.
He said:
While at home, Phenyo said he felt the pressure to provide because his mum had already been unemployed and things at home were tough when he and his twin brother went to varsity.
“I knew I had to get a job to provide for her because she had a lot on her plate as well,” he said.
Light at the end of a tunnel
While scrolling through a jobseekers groups on Facebook, Phenyo found a post that led him to being recruited in the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme in September 2020.
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He initially worked as a till packer, but was recognised by branch manager Matsomagae Motshabi, who trained him to work in various departments before recommending him for the trainee manager programme in Moruleng, North West
His drive and passion for the job led him to fill big shoes as an administrative manager. He said the switch in careers was not easy as he wondered if he'd succeed in the field and if he was good enough. But with the right guidance, he succeeded.
Say YES to opportunities
Looking back now, Phenyo said had it not been that post on Facebook, he'd still be looking for a job. He said many graduates face challenges in finding jobs and balancing their education and career goals.
Through job seeking groups such as YES, he said graduates are exposed to numerous opportunities and he hopes government can start shedding light on such platforms.
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The YES programme is a business-driven initiative in partnership with government and labour to build economic pathways for black youth to reduce unemployment, said Leigh Adams, head of Group Talent and Learning Solutions.
With the youth unemployment rate being a staggering 63,9%, Adams said the group's talent attraction and development strategy places a strong focus on offering early careers to young people interested in pursuing a career in retail.
