Determinants of Youth Unemployment among TVET College Graduates in the Vhembe District

Abstract

This study investigates the factors that determine youth unemployment among young Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates and offers a solution to the problem in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. To comprehend the lived experiences of TVET college graduates that were unemployed, this study used a qualitative approach. Semi-structured individual interviews were used to gather data. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to sample individuals. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. This study found that skill gaps and obsolescence due to the TVET college curriculum, as well as skills mismatch, nepotism, and tribalism, are among the other factors that determine unemployment among TVET college graduates. The study also found that the applicability of the skills provided by TVET colleges to job market demands is a key concern. This study recommends that revamping the TVET college curriculum to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution is critical. This entails teaching soft skills and digital abilities. Furthermore, tackling problems such as nepotism and tribalism through public awareness campaigns, regulatory changes, and inclusive behaviors can help reduce youth unemployment.