Exploring the contribution of universities to labour market requirements in South Africa: An employer's perspective

Abstract

Organisations function in a flexible and changing environment that requires dynamic responses to diverse forces influencing their sustainability and growth. Employers wish to recruit graduates who can capably and successfully transfer their university-acquired skills and knowledge to the workplace. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the contribution of universities to labour market requirements in South Africa from an employer’s perspective. Signalling theory assists as the theoretical framework to establish: (1) whether the skills and knowledge required by labour markets are reflected in the advertised degree programmes of universities; and (2) whether skills and knowledge shortcomings could have been addressed sufficiently by universities.