Reimagining education to bridge SA's skills gap

AS THE world hurtles toward a more digital, automated and interconnected future, the question that should be on our minds as a nation is, "Are graduates being adequately prepared with the right skills to survive and thrive, now and in the future?

- STAFF REPORTER

According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers anticipate that 39% of core skills required in the job market will change by 2030. Technological proficiencies such as AI and big data, networks and cybersecurity, and technological literacy are projected to see rapid growth in demand. Human skills like creative thinking, resilience, flexibility, curiosity, social influence and environmental stewardship are also expected to rise in importance, underlining the importance of thinking about the increasing rise of AI in terms of a human-in-the-loop approach.

“Most universities are still largely geared toward traditional academic disciplines and theoretical learning, and while these remain important, they don't always translate into employability. What's needed is a mindset shift, from qualification-first thinking to skills-first education,” says Dr. Gill Mooney, dean of Academic Development and Support at the Independent Institute of Education (IIE).