With many graduates unable to find work despite their tertiary qualifications, 21-year-old Lebogang Setshedi knows he has his work cut out for him if he wants to get a job.
According to Stats SA's quarterly labour force survey, 5.2% of South Africa's unemployed in 2088 had a tertiary education - but this had grown to 6.3% by the second quarter of this year.
Setshedi said he enrolled for a national diploma in management services at the University of Johannesburg after completing his matric, but was forced to drop out due to a lack of funds. He has had little success in securing a permanent job since then.
He landed a three-month temporary contract at City Town College in the Johannesburg central business district, where he performed secretarial and data-capturing duties.
He also volunteered at a non-governmental organisation, Barona Child Care and Support, which takes care of orphans and vulnerable children.
"I was part of a committee that dealt with finance and cost accounting, and we also helped the organisation strategise ways to receive more funding," said Setshedi.
He also spent three months as a sales promoter for Standard Bank through an agency.
He said when it came to a job, he was willing to do anything as long as he was able to make a living and save money to return to school.
"I am a highly motivated person who accepts responsibility for whatever task I am subjected to," Setshedi said. "I am willing to undergo any training provided by any company to develop my skills within the company or industry."
He said he was a hard-working, adaptable person in search of something stable. "I am computer literate and have good customer service skills."
While he would prefer a job in Gauteng, he wouldn't mind going to Limpopo, as he has family there.
He can be contacted at 0737986594 or setshedilebogang@gmail.com.
- The Sunday Times cannot vouch for any claims made.
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