Boston – Higher education – the primary antidote to unemployment

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Covid19 was the biggest news of 2020, businesses had to shut or pivot to remain operational, education institutions had to switch to online and maintain standards, and we all had to retreat into a state of Lockdown. While some opportunities were shut down, many new ones opened. Online shopping boomed, and with it jobs in that industry such as logistics, marketing, social media management and entrepreneurship. Almost everything moved to digital, including job interviews. We were already headed into this arena with the fourth industrial revolution Covid19 fast-tracked us into the digital sphere.

Boston City Campus maintained their position as education industry leaders for a few reasons. Believers in a technology-based education, we switched seamlessly to online applications, registrations, studies and exams! Believing graduates needed to be global players, Boston achieved international institutional accreditation, allowing graduates to work for international companies even while being locally home based. “ Boston City Campus is open for mid-year registrations for diplomas and degrees, so use the opportunity to reflect on how attaining a higher education can help your plans of employment or promotion, or setting up your own business, “ says Taryn Strydom of Boston City Campus, Newcastle.

The latest unemployment figures show South Africa’s struggle to escape from the aftershocks of the COVID crisis. The Quarterly Labour Survey of Q1 2021 shows unemployment reaching a record 32.6% and the expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged workers, now stands at 42.3 percent. South African youth (15 -34 years) is bearing the brunt of the problem, with almost one in every second young person unemployed. However the rate of unemployed university graduates was 9,3% in Q1 2021. So good news for grads!

“We need to remind ourselves just how important a relevant qualification is when looking for work or simply trying to stay secure in one’s current job, “ says Taryn. “ Unemployment and retrenchment statistics are showing us a rather desperate reality, and now more than ever, we need to be proactive with our employment opportunities,”.

“You should waste no time in assessing your situation. Start by asking: Am I on the right career path? Are there areas in my specific skills set where I need to improve? Do I have the proper qualifications and tools to apply for a job with confidence? Is a matric certificate, diploma or degree enough in our highly competitive market? Only after addressing these questions should one make the decision on what studies to look into and where will best suit you, ” says Taryn.

Acquiring a higher education has helped many people start their own businesses and grow these into successful companies. “So yes, entrepreneurship definitely does seem to be one possible cure for the unemployment rate. The other reality is that these businesses operate in a highly competitive market, so you need to be up to date in your tech knowledge, social media marketing and general business skills,” she continues.