Experiences of unemployed black graduates from the University of Limpopo with their pathways to finding employment

Abstract: Unemployment is a growing social phenomenon that affects the individual’s wellbeing and society as a whole. The intention of this study was to contribute to a body of existing literature on youth unemployment, with particular interest in graduate unemployment. The main objective of was to explore the experiences of black unemployed graduates from the University of Limpopo with their pathways to finding employment. The study was conducted in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. While one can appreciate the magnitude of literature on graduate unemployment, it is worrying that studies have ignored the personal experiences of the phenomenon and that is the contribution this study seeks to bring. Intersectionality was employed in the study as a theoretical lens. It helped in understanding that different internal and external factors such as geographical location, socio-economic status, race and gender can interlock and disadvantage the graduates in their pathways to finding employment. To achieve the objective of the study, a qualitative study was conducted with eight black unemployed graduates across disciplines from the University of Limpopo who are actively seeking employment. The criteria included graduates between the ages of 20-34 from University of Limpopo, unemployed. In-depth interviews were conducted with the participants. A qualitative study was useful in gaining an understanding of the graduate’s personal experiences while attempting to enter the labour market. The findings illustrated that, although they were actively seeking employment, there was a mismatch between the qualifications they have acquired and the skills that are needed in the labour market. Amongst the reasons provided by the graduates for their prolonged unemployment were the lack of work experience and social networks as major barriers to employment. The geographical location was also a factor due to limited job opportunities around their area. The institution attended, the University of Limpopo, as a historically disadvantaged institution, based in a rural area, was seen as unfavourable for the graduates seeking employment. The study revealed that it is of paramount importance that the policy makers in the institutions of higher learning, particularly the historically disadvantaged institutions, reformulate the skills policies and ensure that the skills production is relevant to the needs of the labour market.M.A. (Sociology