EMPLOYMENT
'Plenty of jobs for matriculants'
Posted Mon, 19 Dec 2005
There will be plenty of jobs for this year's matrics — but only
if they chose wisely, the trade union Solidarity said on Sunday.
The union believes some 300 000 new jobs will be created next
year.
Last week Tlotlisa Securities' chief economist Mike
Schussler said 390 000 jobs were created between December 2004 and
this November.
A Solidarity study completed in the past week showed there would
be skills shortages in several important sectors of the South
African economy in 2006.
"Some sectors will have thousands of available positions, but
matriculants will have to choose carefully since the economy as a
whole will offer fewer jobs than last year and some sectors will
have a surplus of workers", the union said in a statement.
The report was compiled by Solidarity's economist, Lullu Krugel,
and Theuns Steenkamp, chief executive of the trade union's training
company.
It found there would be a demand for people with
technical
skills, professional engineers, accountants and nurses, and people
with formal computer training.
There could also be a significant shortage of teachers within
three years, and shortages in vocations negatively affected by
emigration, including business services, health services and
banking and financial services.
In the business field, people who already employed would do well
to develop skills in project management, general and financial
management and occupational health and safety, since shortages had
been identified.
The report urged matriculants to become entrepreneurs.
Krugel was of the opinion future growth and development in South
Africa would be influenced by the success or not of micro, small
and medium enterprises as the main job providers of the future.
"The bottom line for young people is to realise that they have
to create their own future.
"The new economy demands of young people to hone
their skills
continuously and to recognise new challenges.
"One thing that no young person can afford to say, is: 'I am
going to do my own thing and I don't have to learn'. This is not
true. Young people who do not make learning part of their lives
will be left out in the economic cold," Krugel said.
Most successful businesses' origins were in something small,
like a hobby or an activity used to supplement an income, she said.
"It is important to get help and guidance from a mentor. The
biggest initial problem is capital, and if you can survive the
first year your chances of success are that much greater.
"It is also a good idea to consider network marketing and
franchise opportunities," she advised.
The report warned that the outlook is not entirely rosy with
youth making up 76 percent of unemployed South Africans.
Of these, 61 percent have been unemployed for more than a year
and 32 percent for more than three years.
Sapa
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