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South Africa’s Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) has convened a critical meeting to address the country’s alarming unemployment rate, which disproportionately affects youth, women, and marginalised groups.
“We must acknowledge that the crisis of youth unemployment is particularly severe among young people not in employment, education, or training – the NEET cohort,” Deputy President Paul Mashatile said earlier today.
He was speaking as chairperson of the HRDC at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Statistics South Africa figures reveal that more than 3.5 million young people aged between 15 and 24 are disconnected from both the labour market and the education system.
Research from the South African Labour Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town also highlighted the varied circumstances of unemployed youth.
“Alarmingly, more than half of unemployed youth not in employment, education and training have been searching for work for over a year, underscoring the systemic barriers they face in securing a foothold in the labour market.”
Mashatile referred to this as a persistent issue that requires innovation and leadership. “The future of the youth of South Africa is in our hands, and we must be radical in securing it.”
HRDC’s role in solutions
The HRDC is a multi-stakeholder advisory body that includes representatives from the government, business, labour and civil society. Its mandate is to advise the state on issues related to developing the skills and human potential of all South Africans.
The council is seen as crucial in addressing the crisis by improving workforce skills, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth.
Mashatile said the statistics should push the HRDC to reassess its role in engaging stakeholders to develop skills that align with South Africa’s economic needs.
“We must adopt a proactive stance and address the disparity between labour supply and demand,” he said, stressing the urgent need for innovative strategies.
He added that while South Africa has ‘mastered the art of policy making’, some policies were failing to ‘come alive in the areas where they are needed to transform the lives of South Africans and the youth’.
Education and skills development
The deputy president pointed to the school system’s difficulty in cultivating the skills required for a globalised economy, citing a shortage of skilled educators and a mismatch between skills taught and employer requirements.
However, he said South Africa is working to improve educational outcomes.
“The country is actively working to improve educational outcomes, particularly in foundational learning, and to attract and retain skilled professionals.”
He emphasised initiatives such as workplace integrated learning, career guidance, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and public employment programmes.
Digital readiness for the future
Mashatile called for the National Youth Development Agency to be at the forefront of integrating real-world experiences into education, strengthening collaboration between institutions and employers, and equipping students with relevant skills.
With technology rapidly reshaping job markets, the council stressed the need for adaptable, digitally inclusive skills development programmes.
“The South African community must become digitally adaptive to ensure digital inclusivity for future generations. We must refocus our curriculum and skills development programmes to align with industry, economic, and social needs. As technology advances exponentially, today’s abilities may become obsolete tomorrow.”
Mashatile pointed to the G20 Leaders’ Summit as an opportunity to create more inclusive and resilient education systems that prepare students for the future. – SAnews.gov.za
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