According to several local jobs websites, job applicants with skills in fields such as IT, Accounting, and Office Administration continue to be in high demand during this current crisis.
South Africa (15 June 2020) – Jobless numbers in South Africa are forecast to rise anywhere between 690 000 and 1.79 million as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, according to recent figures from National Treasury.
While we still have to see the full effects of this crisis play out, it’s clear that our country’s jobs market will need to adapt in ways it has never done before. One challenge that South Africa has always faced is a lack of skills. But, in many respects, this is a challenge that can still be overcome – even during a crisis.
This is because there are many vocational courses that not only give South Africans better knowledge and skills in a short timespan but which also help them progress further in their long-term educational journeys. In addition, there are vocational skills that one can attain in sectors which — despite the downturn — still have a large demand for workers.
According to several local jobs websites, job applicants with skills in fields such as IT, Accounting, and Office Administration continue to be in high demand during this current crisis.
If you’re interested in equipping yourself to work in these sectors, you can do so without even having a matric. You can also achieve qualifications for these sectors within timespans of between three to 24 months, and walk away with an NQF qualification that can help you get a new job or be used to advance your studies further.
Information Technology
With just a Grade 10, you can apply for the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) in Software Development Fundamentals, which is an entry-level certification intended for people wanting to learn fundamental coding and programming concepts. This particular certification focuses on the fundamentals of programming and coding languages such as HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript.
It takes three months to complete, and it requires passing an exam.
Not only does one walk away with a Microsoft qualification, but this is also an accredited course. Accredited qualifications are higher in demand and generally present one with more job opportunities. Many accredited courses also allow for exemptions at other institutions. This is known as “Recognition of Prior Learning” (RPL), and it can allow you to gain credits at other educational institutions after following an application process.
There are many other different types of MTA courses on offer that give you additional IT skills. You can take a look at College SA to view some examples of these MTA courses.
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Accounting and business management
Many South Africans may be interested to know that they can study towards courses from the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), which has been an Independent External Examination Body for Accredited Business Qualifications in Southern Africa since 1931. Many of the ICB’s courses don’t require a matric, but they can provide one with an NQF level 6 qualification – which is higher than that of a Matric (NQF level 4).
ICB courses include a National Certificate in Bookkeeping (which requires a Grade 10) or a foundational course in Business Management (which requires a Grade 11). The latter course takes 12 months to complete while the former takes 16 months. Upon completing three of the four levels in the ICB’s Financial Accounting Programme, you can register with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) as an Accounting Technician.
Meanwhile, one can also apply to study towards a National Certificate in Small Business Financial Management which requires a Grade 11 and which takes 12 months to complete. This can equip one with the skills necessary to run a business and help to create jobs going forward.
Office Administration
Office administration skills are continuously widely in demand and will make you employable in almost any industry.
The ICB, in this instance, also offers interesting courses in this field. One such entry-level course is a Foundation Level Certificate in Office Administration. This is well-suited for those looking to work as junior office and marketing administrators, receptionists, and office and human resource assistants.
The course covers principles such as cost and management accounting, economics, human resources, labour relations and business management.
To enrol in this particular course, you will need at least a Grade 12.
In closing, these are just a few of many options available to South Africans when it comes to growing their careers.
There are literally hundreds of different types of vocational courses that exist out there — right through from engineering through to tourism and project management and more.
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