In the face of rising unemployment and shifting economic landscapes, a university degree is still worth pursuing, developing employability in an uncertain future.
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In an era characterised by soaring unemployment rates and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the fundamental value of a university degree is under scrutiny. This question weighs heavily on the minds of prospective students and their families as they navigate the complexities of higher education amid a shifting economic landscape.
Recent statistics presented to the Portfolio Committee on Employment and Labour have painted a grim picture of youth unemployment in South Africa. A staggering 58.5% of young people aged 15 to 24 are unemployed, while the rate for those aged 25 to 34 stands at 38.4%. More broadly, the official unemployment rate among youth aged 15 to 34 has surged from 36.9% in 2015 to 43.7% in the third quarter of 2025. This alarming reality leaves millions of young South Africans either out of jobs or completely disengaged from the economy, with 3.5 million of the 10.3 million youth aged 15 to 24 not in employment, education, or training.
Amid these stark figures, the notion that a university degree guarantees employment is increasingly being challenged. However, as Prof. Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of North-West University (NWU), elucidates, the value of a degree transcends immediate job prospects.
“Research consistently shows that higher education remains one of the most powerful drivers of social mobility and economic opportunity,” she says. Notably, graduates from lower-income families experience particularly strong financial returns throughout their lifetimes. Moreover, higher education addresses critical skills shortages in essential sectors such as nursing, teaching, and engineering, which continue to require qualified professionals across the country.
The current discourse often conflates two distinct but interconnected concepts: employment and employability. Prof. du Plessis defines employment as a snapshot of job status at a specific moment, heavily influenced by external economic forces. In contrast, employability is depicted as an internal characteristic cultivated through lifelong learning, adaptability, and resilience — the very qualities universities aim to instill in their students.
“Employment may be temporary, but employability compounds over time, offering a professional toolkit encompassing disciplinary knowledge alongside vital graduate attributes,” she explains. Skills such as critical thinking, communication, ethical judgement, and intellectual flexibility not only assist graduates in securing jobs, but also in navigating an evolving job landscape.
As the world of work undergoes rapid transformation, universities play a pivotal role in equipping graduates with these essential tools. The World Economic Forum has highlighted a significant shift in demand for skills, with creative and analytical thinking now topping the list. By 2030, nearly 40% of job-related skills will have changed, underscoring the value of adaptability in professional environments.
Advancements in artificial intelligence further compel this paradigm shift. Recent surveys indicate that many technology professionals expect AI tools to render numerous existing skills obsolete within a short period. In this tumultuous environment, continuous learning and adaptability are more crucial than ever — a concept that aligns perfectly with the mission statements of many universities.
At NWU, education follows a T-shaped learning approach combining deep discipline-specific knowledge (the vertical axis) with broader transferable skills (the horizontal axis). This methodology cultivates not only expertise, but also competencies necessary for innovation and leadership in complex workplaces.
Moreover, Prof. du Plessis stresses the importance of practical experience, emphasising that graduates who engage in work-integrated learning during their studies are significantly more likely to find employment shortly after graduating.
While short courses and micro-credentials address specific skills, they seldom build the depth of analytical thinking and intellectual resilience fostered through degree programmes, she said. Graduates frequently find their qualifications allow them to pivot across diverse industries, adapting their skills to meet various demands.
Prof. Linda du Plessis, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the North-West University.
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“A degree is remarkably versatile,” she says. “It’s not merely a stepping stone to a specific profession; it’s a foundation for lifelong learning and professional growth.” As the former United States Senator Orrin Hatch aptly noted, “Graduation is not the end; it is the beginning.”
So, as the job market continues to evolve at a dizzying pace, the lingering query remains: Is a university degree still worth it? The answer, framed through the lens of lifelong learning and adaptability, resoundingly affirms that a degree is indeed invaluable. It may not guarantee instant employment, but it equips graduates with the ability to forge paths that lead to opportunities that others may never reach.
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