The Gap Between Graduation and Employment:
A Tumultuous Transition

South African youth are relentlessly trying to keep their finger on the pulse, they’re upskilling, adapting to rapidly evolving industries, and striving to meet the ever-changing demands of the job market. Yet, despite their tireless efforts, many graduates find themselves underprepared for the workforce. As we move into 2025, we must acknowledge that it is unrealistic to expect this hyper-stressed generation to not only fill gaps in their knowledge and skillsets, but to also to identify these gaps - often the hard way, through rejection and frustration at the hands of employers.

Our Youth Matters 2025 survey reveals that the majority of students and graduates deeply appreciate the quality of their academic education, with many regarding their university teachings as excellent. They feel empowered by the strong foundation provided in their respective fields and are genuinely grateful for the opportunities to learn from their lecturers. However, despite the solid academic grounding, they feel their formal education often lacks the practical skills and real-world experience needed for a smooth transition into the workforce. While they leave with valuable qualifications, many graduates still face the challenge of underemployment and stress, as the gap between education and employment grows. As industries rapidly evolve and competition for entry-level roles intensifies, the youth are eager to step up but find themselves navigating a landscape that leaves them struggling to connect the dots between theory and practice.

The youth are not unaware of these gaps - they see them clearly. They recognise that the bar for employment is continually rising, driven by new technologies like AI and shifting employer expectations. While eager to join the workforce and embark on adulthood, many feel ill-prepared for the challenges they face. Only 47% of those surveyed feel their university equipped them with the practical skills or experience. Additionally, just 56% had access to job fairs or networking opportunities, and only 25% gained formal internships or work experience.

Compounding these gaps is the perception that their lecturers, admin staff, and faculties do not engage with them as individuals as much as they would like. However, the youth are understanding by nature. They recognise the challenges their lecturers face, given the large student numbers, but they also see how crucial individual engagement is for their personal and professional development. The highly individualistic nature of this generation - marked by unique talents, strengths, and ambitions - makes it all the more important for universities to invest in personalized attention. Without it, they are left to turn to more alternatives, such as studying abroad, where 60% of students express interest in seeking support systems that cater to their needs. With only 33% of students receiving a character reference, it’s clear that the lack of individualized focus remains a significant barrier to their entry into the professional world.

Yet, despite the gaps in their formal education, the youth are far from passive. They are proactive in filling these gaps themselves. According to the Youth Matter’s survey, the most commonly cited areas of study missing from their curriculum include entrepreneurship, financial literacy, coding/AI, and work-readiness programs - skills that are highly sought after by employers. As a result, 70% of students have already taken it upon themselves to study one or more of these subjects online in addition to their formal education.

But the self-reliance doesn’t stop there. The youth continue to display the quintessential resilience and “make the most of it” attitude that defines South Africans. They are aware of the shortcomings, yet they accept these realities with minimal complaint, more so exhibiting deep appreciation for what they have been given. They sing praises for the academic teachings, the student life, and the experience of being part of a community.  They hang onto the silver linings despite these gaps, and do not sit idly by - they adapt, self-soothe, and continue to forge ahead.

However, this is not sustainable. Universities must acknowledge the urgent need for a more hands-on, real-world approach to learning. The youth are asking for exposure to the industries they aspire to join, mentorship from professionals, and the chance to build meaningful networks with employers. This isn’t about handing out freebies or a paying job; it’s about providing the opportunities and experiences they are seeking, like unpaid internships, job-shadowing, networking opportunities and real-world insights into how industries operate.

The good news is that the youth are already well-equipped to take advantage of these opportunities. 72% view online learning as crucial to their personal development and aspire to take advantage of these opportunities throughout their lives, they are eager to learn, grow, and empower themselves with the skills needed to succeed. However, they should not have to do this alone. Universities, businesses, and industries have a critical role to play in providing the mentorship, networking, and collaboration that can bridge the gap between academic education and the demands of the workplace.

In fact, the youth are calling for just that. 83% of the youth believe their university empowered them, simply by giving them a qualification, but they soon after review that claim as they feel the sting of the transition from academia to industry. They understand the importance of practical skills, but without the right support structures in place, they are left to navigate the gap on their own. As one student put it, they are not asking for much - they simply want the chance to “work for free if it means gaining valuable experience.”

The youth are willing to roll up their sleeves and to prove themselves and make their mark. But despite their drive and resilience, the reality is remains: graduation feels like the start of another race, not the end. The finish line they’ve worked so hard for turns out to be an illusion, with the final stretch ahead of them, yet no clear path or support to navigate it. They’re not asking for handouts - they simply want more opportunities to learn, and platforms to showcase their skills. This generation thrives when given the right opportunities, yet the systems in place often fail to evolve at the pace needed to support their ambitions.

No one expects a complete system transformation in the blink of an eye, but there is significant room for universities to act – by connecting students with real-world opportunities and letting them take charge of their own growth. Through building stronger collaborative partnerships between universities and industries, we can offer the internships, mentorships, job-shadowing, and real-world experiences they need to cross that true finish line. Universities must expand their focus beyond traditional academics, incorporating industry-relevant skills, work-readiness programs, and exposure to emerging technologies like AI to ensure graduates are truly prepared for the workforce.

The solution is clear: the youth deserve more opportunities that will allow them to learn, grow, and showcase their full potential. While they are deeply grateful for the education they’ve received and continue to praise the academic knowledge and experiences afforded to them, it’s important to recognise that their gratitude doesn’t mean they’ve been fully equipped for the workforce. This generation places huge value education and self-development, and their appreciation for their institutions is evident in the feedback they give. However, this grace should not prevent universities from taking a closer look at where they can improve. By offering more hands-on experience, direct exposure to industry, and the support necessary to thrive, we can help students evolve from learners into confident, work-ready professionals.

Written by,

Jessica Lyne
YDx Research Analyst