BEYOND THE DEGREE: UNDERSTANDING THE HIGH GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN SOUTH AFRICA – A CASE STUDY ON BACHELOR OF APPLIED SCIENCE IN NATURE CONSERVATION GRADUATES – A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Sibonelo Thanda Mbanjwa

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1674

Authors

Sibonelo Thanda Mbanjwa Mangosuthu University of Technology P.O. Box 12363 Jacobs 4026 Durban, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i6.1674

Keywords:

Graduate unemployment, Nature Conservation, Employability, Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), Mangosuthu University Of Technology (MUT), Skills Mismatch, Environmental Sector, Conservation Careers, Higher Education, Job Market

Abstract

Background

Graduate unemployment remains a pressing issue in South Africa, even within specialized fields like Nature Conservation. Despite growing environmental concerns and increased demand for conservation professionals, many graduates from the Bachelor of Applied Science in Nature Conservation at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) face difficulties in securing relevant employment. This study investigates the underlying causes of graduate unemployment and explores practical strategies to enhance employability.

Methods

A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted to assess employment status, barriers to employment, and potential solutions for improving graduate outcomes. Quantitative data were collected through structured questionnaires administered to 150 graduates from 2018 to 2023, focusing on employment status, skill gaps, and work-integrated learning (WIL) experiences. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 30 employers from conservation agencies, NGOs, and private companies, and 10 academic staff from MUT, exploring perceptions of curriculum relevance and employability trends.

Results

The study found that 65% of graduates were unemployed, with 30% searching for employment for over a year. Among those employed, 58% held temporary contracts, and only 22% secured permanent positions. Most respondents (75%) were aged 22–30, with a gender distribution of 56% female and 44% male. Key barriers included a mismatch between academic training and industry expectations, especially in GIS, ecological monitoring, and environmental legislation. 70% of graduates struggled to access WIL placements, while 50% cited financial constraints as a barrier to job relocation. Qualitative findings emphasized the importance of field exposure, entrepreneurial development, and soft skill enhancement. Stakeholders proposed embedding mandatory WIL, offering short certifications, and expanding graduate support services.

Conclusion

There is a clear gap between academic preparation and labor market expectations. Addressing this requires stronger academic-industry alignment.

Recommendation

Revise the Nature Conservation curriculum to include practical and technical training aligned with industry needs to improve graduate employability.

Author Biography

Sibonelo Thanda Mbanjwa, Mangosuthu University of Technology P.O. Box 12363 Jacobs 4026 Durban, South Africa

Dr. Sibonelo Thanda Mbanjwa is a dedicated lecturer in the Department of Nature Conservation at Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT), South Africa. He holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science and specializes in biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and environmental education. Dr. Mbanjwa is deeply committed to community engagement, student mentorship, and the integration of indigenous knowledge systems into conservation practices. His work bridges academia and practical application, empowering students and communities through innovative teaching, research, and outreach initiatives.

References

Clark, T.D., Raby, G.D., Roche, D.G., Binning, S.A. and Speers-Roesch, B., 2020. Ocean acidification does not impair the behavior of coral reef fishes. Nature, 577(7790), pp.370–375. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1903-y

FAO, 2020. The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in Action. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Ferrari, A., 2012. Digital competence in practice: An analysis of frameworks. Seville: Joint Research Centre of the European Commission.

Graham, S., Stanley, G. and Smith, R., 2021. Digital literacy gaps in promoting 21st-century skills among students in higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review. Cogent Education, 8(1), p.2452085.

Ihle, J., Pires, J. and Vidal, L., 2020. Subsistence fishing and community engagement: A case study in the Kei River System. Journal of Coastal Management, 55(4), pp.425–436.

Johnson, D.W., Baumgartner, M.F., Kowarski, K.A. et al., 2022. Deep learning for automated detection of North Atlantic right whale upcalls. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 689, pp.1–17.

Letsoalo, M. and van der Merwe, J., 2022. University-industry partnerships for employability in the environmental sciences. South African Journal of Higher Education, 36(2), pp.112–130.

Mkhize, M., 2021. Title of the work. Journal Name, Volume (Issue), pp. pages. [online] Available at: .

Mkhize, Z., 2021. From graduate to volunteer: Employment challenges in conservation. African Journal of Career Development, 3(1), pp.1–12.

Nkosi, B. and Mthembu, N., 2019. Integrating work-integrated learning in environmental studies curricula: A South African case study. Environmental Education Review, 27(3), pp.55–68.

Nkosi, N., 2019. The effectiveness of integrating ICTs in the teaching of mechanical system and control in a Grade 8 Technology subject: A case of two township schools. Master’s Dissertation. University of the Witwatersrand. [online] Available at: https://wiredspace.wits.ac.za/items/48306777-fc6e-4f4b-99fa-72701e90bcb5.

Naughton-Treves, L., Vidal, L. and Henning, J., 2021. Subsistence fishing and the challenge of poverty alleviation in South Africa’s rural communities. Sustainability Science, 19(3), pp.215–228.

Pillay, K., Singh, P. and Prinsloo, T., 2020. Teaching Pastel online to a large group after COVID-19 shut down universities worldwide: Challenges faced and lessons learned from a South African university. Proceedings of the 2020 AIS SIGED International Conference on Information Systems Education and Research. [online] Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/siged2020/16/.

Pillay, P. and Maharaj, S., 2020. Graduate unemployment in South Africa: A curriculum review perspective. Journal of Education and Work, 33(4), pp.318–334.

World Bank, 2020. The Sunken Billions Revisited: Progress and Challenges in Global Marine Fisheries. Washington, DC: World Bank.