President Cyril Ramaphosa Urges Businesses to Eliminate Work Experience Requirements to Boost Job Opportunities for South Africa’s Youth
President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on businesses in South Africa to remove prior work experience requirements for job positions, in a bid to boost the employability of the country’s job-seeking youth. In his weekly letter to the nation, the president emphasized the record success of the country’s matric class of 2023, with a national pass rate of 82.9%, the highest since 2008. While many matriculants will pursue further education, Ramaphosa highlighted the need to create more job opportunities for those entering the working world with just their matric certificate.
As government, we have made the call for businesses to invest in our nation’s future by employing more young people, and, where possible, to do away with the requirement of prior work experience, President Ramaphosa stated. He also noted that the government has introduced tax incentives to encourage businesses to hire more young job-seekers. By utilizing the Employee Tax Incentive, companies can not only provide employment opportunities but also contribute to the development and mentorship of the youth. Additionally, Ramaphosa urged businesses to partner with government initiatives such as the Youth Employment Service.
Despite the impressive matric pass rate, the circumstances of those who do not pursue further studies remain challenging due to the country’s high unemployment rates. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the third quarter of 2023, South Africa’s national unemployment rate improved to 31.9%, or 41.2% when considering discouraged jobseekers. However, youth unemployment levels remain alarmingly high.
Recent data from Stats SA indicates that South Africa’s youth, aged 15 to 34 and not involved in education or training, face vulnerability in the labor market. While the number of unemployed youth decreased by 174,000 to 4.6 million, the overall unemployment rate for this segment stands at 43.4%. The World Bank reports an even higher youth unemployment rate of 51.5%, positioning South Africa among the countries with the highest rates globally.
President Ramaphosa’s call to remove work experience requirements aims to address these concerning rates of youth unemployment. By encouraging businesses to hire young job-seekers and offer training and mentorship opportunities, the president aims to expand job prospects and enhance the employability of South Africa’s youth.
The implementation of such measures recognizes the importance of creating an inclusive economy that provides avenues for skill development and employment for all. By broadening opportunities and dismantling unnecessary barriers to entry, South Africa can pave the way for a more prosperous future, offering hope to a generation in need.
With the president’s urging, it is now on businesses and the wider society to embrace the call to action and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous South Africa, where opportunities are accessible to all, regardless of prior work experience.
