WLH - Tompkins
March 12, 2015
Period 1
Jobless
Many people choose to believe that life is not all about money. However, to a certain extent, it is. Without money, it is nearly impossible to obtain sufficient food, water and shelter. Most people, in order to obtain the money they need for such resources, acquire a job. But what happens when people cannot find jobs?Unemployment is a major issue in South Africa. From 2000 to 2014, the South African unemployment rate averaged 25.25 percent (Taborda). This number is especially concerning when compared to the unemployment rates of other countries, such as the U.S., which is currently at 5.6 percent (Bureau of Labor Statistics). However, the problem is even worse among the youth in South Africa. In 2013, 63 percent of the youth labor force was unemployed (Oosthuizen and Cassim). So why is youth unemployment so high in South Africa?
One of the main reasons that youth unemployment is a major problem in South Africa are issues with the government. First of all, the education system in South Africa does not give students the skills that they need to be hired by companies. Only four in ten South African students graduate from high school, and only one in ten will go to university (Yueh). Linda Yueh, chief business correspondent at BBC News writes that “schools, especially in rural areas, lack basic learning materials and have poor teaching standards as well as high absenteeism among staff”. Nonetheless, it is not only governmental issues that are causing high unemployment among the youth in South Africa; businesses play a large part as well.
Many businesses, according to Thero Setiloane, “would rather poach employees from other companies than employ and train talented people who lack skills and work experience but could add value in the long term” (Setiloane). This is a major issue given that these people who want to work but have no prior experience are the young people. Setiloane, CEO of Business Leadership of South Africa asserts that “business must work with government to adapt the school curriculum”, for the government cannot set up an education system that will give students the skills they need in the working world unless they communicate with the businesses (Setiloane). Brookings authors Oosthuizen and Cassim wrote in 2014 that "government alone cannot resolve the unemployment crisis". Non-profit organizations are also working towards supporting small businesses, training the youth, and "facilitating the matching process between job seekers and employers" (Oosthuizen and Cassim).
It is failures in both the government and South African businesses that are responsible for the high rate of unemployed youth in the country. The government and its education systems decline to provide students with skills they will need in the business world once they graduate, and businesses decline to hire young and inexperienced workers, despite whether or not they are talented or hardworking. Based on South Africa’s past youth unemployment rates, it does not look as though the future will bring any change unless the government and businesses decide to do so. Until then, 63 percent of the youth labor force in South Africa will remain jobless.
Works Cited
Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject." United States Department of Labor. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 12 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2015.
Oosthuizen, Morné, and Aalia Cassim. "The State of Youth Unemployment in South Africa." Brookings. The Brookings Institution, 15 Aug. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Setiloane, Thero. "Beyond Advocacy – Business Needs to Get Its Head in the Game." McKinsey on Society Voices Beyond Advocacy Business Needs to Get Its Head in the Game Comments. McKinsey and Company, 2015. Web. 09 Mar. 2015.
Taborda, Joana. "South Africa Unemployment Rate Marginally Unchanged." Trading Economics. Trading Economics, 30 Oct. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
Yueh, Linda. "The Jobs Challenge Facing South Africa." BBC News. BBC, 9 May 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2015.
I find it interesting how the companies would rather poach employees from other companies that take on new hires, even though this might make sense in terms of efficiency.
ReplyDeleteThis issue is somewhat relatable to the search for jobs right out of college in the United States, though to a much lesser extent as most eventually are able to find full-time work. Often times, however, companies mandate a minimum amount of work experience in the field to be considered for hire, which causes those who did not have previous work or internships in the field to be initially deterred.
Will employment rate in South Africa rise if the education system is improved?
My favorite aspect was that this article took an informed opinion but remained very objective and informative; therefore, it was perfect for this assignment. I would compare unemployment in Africa to unemployment here because it helps me realize how lucky we are to have such a low unemployment rate.
ReplyDelete