ERIC ED440593: First Employment Experiences of Graduates. Labour Market Analysis.

70 Pages·1999·1.7 MB·English

by  ERIC

DOCUMENT RESUME
HE 032 810
ED 440 593
Moleke, Percy; Albertyn, Linda
AUTHOR
First Employment Experiences of Graduates. Labour Market
TITLE
Analysis.
Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria (South Africa).
INSTITUTION
ISBN-0-7969-1915-1
ISBN
1999-00-00
PUB DATE
NOTE
74p.
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AVAILABLE FROM
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Research
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Numerical/Quantitative Data (110)
PUB TYPE
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Black Colleges; Black Students; Blacks; Career Guidance;
DESCRIPTORS
College Graduates; *Education Work Relationship; *Employment
Experience; *Employment Level; Employment Opportunities;
Employment Patterns; Equal Opportunities (Jobs); Foreign
Countries; Higher Education; Job Applicants;
*,;(.:,
Satisfaction; Racial Discrimination; Tables (Data)
*South Africa
IDENTIFIERS
ABSTRACT
This study examined first employment experiences of
graduates from South African universities, highlighting educational and
noneducational factors that affected their ability to secure employment in
their fields of study, as well as graduates' perceptions of their studies in
relation to their jobs. Researchers sent surveys to 8,000 graduates listed in
the Human Sciences Research Council registry who had graduated between
1991-95 (1,806 were returned). The study relied on graduates' work histories
and their perceptions about their work experiences. The sample was stratified
according to the size of two variables: historically black and historically
white universities and broad fields of study. The study found that 59 percent
of graduates secured employment immediately after obtaining their degrees; 84
percent found employment within their first year of searching. The report
concludes that the labor market still reflects the apartheid system, with
nonwhite graduates and graduates from historically black colleges
disadvantaged in their employment search. About half the graduates believed
that they were in jobs requiring graduate level ability; most perceived
considerable benefits from higher education; and only a few had received
career guidance at any point. Twenty-two data tables are included.. Appended
is the survey methodology, a biographical profile of the respondent group,
and a description of occupations held. (Contains 33 references.)
(SM)
Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made
from the original document.
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PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND
DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS
BEEN GRANTED BY
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TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)
1
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Educational Research and Improvement
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION
CENTER (ERIC)
,re This document has been reproduced as
received from the person or organization
originating it.
Minor changes have been made to
improve reproduction quality
Rot
Points of view or opinions stated in this
document do not necessarily represent
official OERI position or policy
PERCY MOLEKE
LINDA ALBERTYN
HUMAN SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL
GROUP: ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS
UNIT: LABOUR MARKET ANALYSIS
3
© Human Sciences Research Council, 1999.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by
any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage
and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Although all the information in this book has been compiled with great care, the HSRC does not
accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may arise from the reliance of any person upon
information this book contains.
Published by:
HSRC Bookshop
PO Box 5556
Pretoria,
0001.
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: J Els @ beauty.hsrc.ac.za
Website: http: / /www.hsrc.ac.za
Cover design: Marten le Roux, Design & Proof Prepress.
Printed by: National Book Printers,
Drukkery Street,
Goodwood,
Western Cape.
First edition, 1999.
ISBN 0-7969-1915-1
A
Authors:
Percy Moleke
Linda Albertyn
Administrative Support:
Bessie Fouche
Director:
Labour Market Analysis
Elize van Zyl
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134 Pretorius Street
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0002
© Copyright 1999 HSRC
SOUTH AFRICA
BEST COPY AVAILABLE
Page
CHAPTER 1: GRADUATES IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR MARKET: AN
OVERVIEW
1
INTRODUCTION
1.1
1
2
1.2
THE SOUTH AFRICAN LABOUR MARKET
4
HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE SUPPLY OF GRADUATES
1.3
6
1.4 GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT
9
1.5
CONCLUSION
10
CHAPTER 2: SEARCH FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT
10
2.1 INTRODUCTION
10
2.2
IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT
10
Immediate employment by field of study
2.2.1
Immediate employment by institution attended and field of study
11
2.2.2
12
Immediate employment by gender
2.2.2
13
Immediate employment by population group
2.2.4
2.3
VARIABLES THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN THE SUCCESS IN FINDING EMPLOYMENT
15
IMMEDIATELY
17
2.4
PERIOD BEFORE FINDING FIRST EMPLOYMENT
18
2.5
CONCLUSION
CHAPTER 3: GRADUATES' FIRST INTERACTION WITH THE LABOUR
19
MARKET
19
3.1
INTRODUCTION
19
3.2
WAYS IN WHICH GRADUATES ENTERED THE LABOUR MARKET
20
3.3
REASONS FOR CHOOSING FIRST JOB
21
3.4
THE VALUE OF A DEGREE IN SECURING AND ADAPTING TO A FIRST JOB
23
3.5
EMPLOYMENT STATUS AND EMPLOYER SECTOR
25
3.6
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FIELD OF STUDY AND OCCUPATION
27
3.7
EDUCATIONAL LEVEL REQUIRED IN FIRST OCCUPATION
Labour Market Analysis
L.
Page
CHAPTER 4: CAREER GUIDANCE, JOB SATISFACTION AND FUTURE
29
ASPIRATIONS
4.1
29
INTRODUCTION
4.2
29
CAREER GUIDANCE
4.3
REALIZATION OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPECTATIONS
31
4.4
SATISFACTION WITH CAREER PROGRESS
31
4.5
32
FACTORS THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN GRADUATES' SATISFACTION
35
CHAPTER 5: GRADUATES INVOLVEMENT IN FURTHER STUDIES
5.1
35
INTRODUCTION
5.2
35
REMAINING IN FULL-TIME STUDY AFTER OBTAINING FIRST DEGREE
5.3
36
INTENTION TO CONTINUE WITH STUDIES
5.3
38
REASONS FOR CHANGING FIELD OF STUDY
5.4
38
WHERE DO GRADUATES EXPECT TO BE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?
li
43
CHAPTER 6: SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
6.1
43
SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS
6.1.1
43
Getting a job
6.1.2
43
Value of Higher Education
6.1.3
44
Further study
6.1.4
44
Career guidance
6.2
44
CONCLUSION
47
BIBLIOGRAPHY
ANNEXURE A: SURVEY METHODOLOGY AND BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE
OF RESPONDENT GROUP
ANNEXURE B: DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATIONS HELD
Labour Market Analysis
7
ii
AIM
A
Page
TABLE 1.1: VACANCY RATES BY OCCUPATIONAL LEVEL, SOUTH AFRICA
11
IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT BY INSTITUTION AND FIELD OF STUDY
TABLE
12
TABLE 2.2: IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT BY GENDER AND FIELD OF STUDY
14
TABLE 2..3: IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT BY POPULATION GROUP AND FIELD OF STUDY
16
TABLE 2.4: REGRESSION ANALYSIS (FINDING EMPLOYMENT IMMEDIATELY)
TABLE 2.5: PERIODS OF UNEMPLOYMENT BEFORE FINDING A JOB FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT
17
SECURE IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT
20
TABLE 3.1: WAYS IN WHICH GRADUATES ENTERED THE LABOUR MARKET
21
TABLE 3.2: REASONS FOR CHOOSING FIRST JOB
22
TABLE 3.3: EXTENT TO WHICH DEGREE HELPED TO SECURE EMPLOYMENT
23
TABLE 3.4: VALUE OF DEGREE TO PRESENT EMPLOYMENT
24
TABLE 3.5: EMPLOYMENT SECTOR
26
TABLE 3.6: TYPE OF FIRST OCCUPATION HELD AFTER GRADUATION
27
TABLE 3.7: PERCEIVED REQUIREMENT LEVEL OF JOB
31
TABLE 4.1: REALIZATION OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPECTATIONS
36
TABLE 4.2: SATISFACTION WITH CAREER PROGRESS
36
TABLE 4.3: REGRESSION ANALYSIS (CAREER SATISFACTION)
36
TABLE 5.1: REASONS FOR REMAINING IN FULL-TIME STUDY
37
TABLE 5.2: INTENDED FIELD OF STUDY
38
TABLE 5.3: REASONS FOR CHANGING FIELD OF STUDY
TABLE 5.4: ACTIVITIES EXPECTED TO BE ENGAGED IN WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS ACCORDING
39
TO FIELD OF STUDY
TABLE 5.5: PERCENTAGE OF GRADUATES FROM EACH FIELD OF STUDY INTENDING TO MOVE
40
ABROAD (EITHER TO STUDY OR WORK THERE FULL-TIME)
41
TABLE 5.6: GRADUATES' REASONS FOR INTENDING TO MOVE ABROAD
Labour Market Analysis
iii
Page
FIGURE 2.1: IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT BY POPULATION GROUP
13
30
FIGURE 4.1: TYPES OF CAREER GUIDANCE RECEIVED
30
FIGURE 4.2: VALUE OF CAREER GUIDANCE
37
FIGURE 5.1: FURTHER STUDY
11
Labour Market Analysis
iv
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INTRODUCTION
1.1
Graduate employment is a subject that brings together macro-social policy considerations and
Both are concerned with the returns on a substantial
the interests of individual students.
investment in education, and unemployment and underemployment are considered to represent
a waste of the time and money invested in education.
In many less developed countries, the supply of university graduates often exceeds the demand
These countries are thus faced with the problem of
for people with tertiary qualifications.
graduate unemployment and underemployment.
Studies of the employment experiences of new graduates are important as they indicate the
demand for and supply of graduates in the labour market. It is argued that the first employment
If the
experiences of graduates are an excellent barometer of the graduate labour market.
demand for certain skills is declining, employers will not necessarily lay off existing employees,
Similarly, when there is an oversupply of certain skills,
but they will not employ new ones.
In both instances, the
employers will tend to prefer experienced workers to new graduates.
supply and demand situation will immediately be reflected in the rate at which new graduates
are employed.
It focuses in
This study looks at the first employment experiences of graduates in South Africa.
the first instance on graduates' ability to find employment. It intends to highlight the educational
as well as the non-educational factors that affect graduates' ability to secure employment in
It also intends to highlight graduates perceptions of their studies in relation
their fields of study.
The study relies not only on graduates' work histories, but also on their
to their jobs.
perceptions with regard to their work situations. (See Annexure A for a detailed description of
the research design).
The employment experiences (in terms of getting a job) of graduates in the labour market should
It is generally held that
be seen in the context of the South African labour market as a whole.
Although they are not entirely
graduates have a competitive edge in the labour market.
untouched by weaknesses in the market, their higher qualifications confer a relative advantage
on them. This chapter will briefly look at the trends in the South African labour market in general
and the market for graduates in particular.
Labour Market Analysis
1
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