Beyond Matric: Why Vocational Training and Practical Experience Matter for South Africa’s Youth

As the Matric Class of 2025 receives its results, the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA) extends its sincere congratulations to every learner who has reached this important milestone. Completing matric represents years of dedication, sacrifice and perseverance by young people, supported by families, educators and communities who believed in their potential.

Yet for millions of South Africans, the release of matric results is not only a moment of pride, but also the beginning of uncertainty. In a country facing persistent youth unemployment, deep inequality and critical skills shortages, this moment demands a deeper national conversation about what comes next.

Matric results do not define your economic future

For learners whose results meet their expectations, this is a moment to celebrate and plan the next chapter with confidence. For others, whose marks may not reflect their effort or aspirations, it is important to say this clearly: matric results do not define your worth, your intelligence or your future.

South Africa’s economy requires a wide range of skills, talents and forms of knowledge. Many of these are developed outside traditional academic pathways and through practical, hands-on learning. What matters most at this stage is not a single set of marks, but the courage to reassess, adapt and continue learning.

It is within this context that vocational education, skills development and workplace exposure emerge not as second choices, but as strategic responses to the realities of the labour market.

Why skills-based pathways matter now more than ever

South Africa’s economy remains heavily reliant on labour-intensive sectors such as agriculture, mining, construction, manufacturing, energy and infrastructure development. These sectors depend on artisans, technicians, machine operators, supervisors and skilled workers who are trained practically and can contribute immediately in real working environments.

Vocational training plays a critical role in bridging the gap between education and employment. Unlike purely academic routes, vocational programmes emphasise learning by doing, problem-solving in real-world settings and the development of technical competence alongside workplace readiness.

In agriculture, skills training supports food security, agro-processing and rural development, preparing young people for roles ranging from farm operations and irrigation systems to equipment maintenance and sustainable production practices. In construction and industrial sectors, skilled artisans and technicians are the backbone of housing delivery, infrastructure projects and industrial growth. These industries cannot function without competent, hands-on workers.

Aligning skills with labour market demand

One of the most significant barriers facing young people after matric is the mismatch between qualifications and available jobs. Too many young people are trained for roles the economy cannot absorb, while employers struggle to find candidates with practical technical skills and work experience.

The Mineworkers Development Agency was established by the National Union of Mineworkers. The MDA achieves some of its strategic objectives through partnerships between organised labour, business and government to respond directly to this challenge. Its work focuses on creating sustainable livelihoods for mineworkers, ex-mineworkers and their communities, with a strong emphasis on young people in mining-affected and rural areas.

By prioritising vocational training in labour-intensive sectors and aligning programmes with labour market demand, the MDA contributes to both individual empowerment and broader economic development. Its approach recognises that training alone is insufficient unless it is directly connected to real economic opportunities.

Why experience matters as much as training

Employers consistently point to lack of work experience as one of the biggest obstacles to hiring young people. Qualifications without practical exposure often leave learners unprepared for the realities of the workplace.

The MDA addresses this challenge by integrating workplace exposure, internships, and experiential learning into its skills development initiatives. Through partnerships with accredited training institutions, employers, and community-based projects, young people gain hands-on experience in real working environments aligned to market needs.

At the Marikana Agri Hub, participants are trained in crop and livestock production, agro-processing, irrigation systems, agricultural mechanisation, and basic farm management, allowing them to apply theoretical knowledge directly to operational agricultural settings. 

Similarly, the Welkom Digital Hub equips youth with future-focused skills through training in digital literacy, coding and software development, graphic design, digital marketing, data analysis, and ICT support.

This practical exposure builds confidence, discipline, and a clear understanding of workplace expectations qualities that cannot be fully developed in a classroom alone. For many young people, the first opportunity to work with tools, machinery, digital platforms, or production systems is transformative, turning abstract learning into tangible competence, employability, and entrepreneurial readiness.

Empowering youth beyond employment

The MDA’s work extends beyond preparing young people for jobs. Its programmes also promote entrepreneurship, cooperative development and self-employment, particularly in communities affected by mine closures and economic transition.

In areas where formal employment opportunities are limited, vocational skills in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and services can be leveraged to build local enterprises, improve infrastructure and stimulate local economies. This approach enables young people to see themselves not only as job seekers, but as contributors and job creators within their own communities.

A message to the Class of 2025

To the Matric Class of 2025, this is a moment of reflection and possibility. Whether your results open doors to university, college, vocational training or alternative pathways, know that success is not defined by a single route.

South Africa needs skilled hands as much as it needs academic minds. Many of the skills that build this country are learned through practice, perseverance and experience. Vocational training is not a lesser option; it is a vital pathway to dignity, productivity and sustainable livelihoods.

Reimagining pathways beyond matric is not the responsibility of young people alone. It requires deliberate investment by government, industry, training institutions and communities in skills that align with economic realities and national development priorities.

Matric is not the end of the journey. It is the beginning of many roads—and with the right skills, experience and support, meaningful progress remains possible.

* Luthando Brukwe is the Head of Strategy at the Mineworkers Development Agency (MDA)

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.