Business · South Africa
SA Tech Graduates Lack Skills, Employers Pay for Retraining
TechCentral · 2026/02/05
Summary
Many South African tech graduates are starting their careers without the necessary skills for today's digital jobs. Employers are facing a growing challenge because they need to spend extra time and money retraining new employees to meet job requirements. This skills gap means that despite the demand for tech workers being high, the available graduates often lack practical experience and current knowledge. The gap between what graduates learn at university and what employers expect in modern tech roles is widening. This situation impacts businesses, as retraining costs add to expenses and can slow down productivity. Graduates may also struggle to find jobs right after finishing their studies due to this mismatch. This growing skills gap shows a need for improved training and cooperation between educational institutions and businesses to prepare learners for real-world tech demands.
OnABudget takeaway: For job seekers, gaining extra practical skills beyond degrees can improve chances of employment. Small businesses should consider investing in employee training to build up skilled teams without relying solely on new graduates.