South Africa faces a significant skills mismatch. The graduate unemployment rate continues to rise, reaching 11.8% in the first quarter of this year, according to Statistics South Africa-an increase of 2.3 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2023. Despite this, there is a shortage of skills in some professions. These are the issues that entrepreneurs Jason Adriaan and broadcaster Shahan Ramkisson want to tackle with their new education-focused platform called StudyStart. In an interview with BizNews, Adriaan explained that their online tool is designed to help students plan their educational and career paths. StudyStart offers a web-based application optimised for accessibility on mobile devices. Jason emphasises the need for vocational training options alongside traditional university routes, noting the importance of various skill sets in the job market. He also highlights the challenges startups face in South Africa, including tax burdens and slow procurement processes with large corporations. Their goal is to effectively bridge the skills gap and reduce unemployment in the country.
Video production by Gift Chiumia and Rex George
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