ABET prepares South Africans to play a meaningful role in the economy.
South Africa’s future relies on its ability to ensure that all South Africans have the opportunity to reach their full potential. By developing our human capital, we will be able to grow our economy; progress in a sustainable manner; and compete effectively at a global level. This while also ensuring a more equal society.
ABET develops skills
ABET develops the skills citizens need to be productive members of society.
We have a negative productivity growth rate. Together with Brazil and Argentina, South Africa has the lowest productivity growth rate among emerging economies. Among other factors, skills shortages are contributing to the dire situation. Notably, student skills are below the OECD [South Africa – OECD] average. Only a small share of students excels in their academic pursuits with the vast majority underperforming. Refer to South Africa Labour Productivity Growth, 2009 – 2023 | CEIC Data.
The quality of the country’s basic education system remains a key constraint in the way of developing a robust skills pipeline. It, therefore, needs to be dealt with swiftly. Notably, our pass rate in mathematics and physical science is very low. Between 2018 and 2021, the mathematics pass rate ranged between 53,8% and 58%. Meanwhile, the pass rate for physical sciences dropped by 6,5 percentage points from 75,5% in 2019 to 69% in 2021. These are two key matric subjects that enable learners to enrol for science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related degrees and diplomas. The importance of these technical subjects cannot be overstated. Mathematics and science are the foundation of modern societies. They underlie every technology, ranging from plumbing through to telecommunications, medicines and satellites.
Meanwhile, in 2021, South Africa’s competitiveness was ranked 62 out of 64 countries. In 2022, we only ranked 60 out of 63 countries. This is evidenced by a growing trade deficit. The preliminary trade balance deficit for January 2023 was R23,05-billion. South Africa exported R139,36-billion worth of goods and imported products to the value of R162,41-billion.
Quality ABET
Quality ABET is geared specifically at the many workers who can only perform general and mundane work because they lack basic skills. These jobs seldom provide job security. They also do not pay well because there is an oversupply of unskilled and semi-skilled labour in the market. Moreover, these jobs are increasingly becoming redundant and, therefore, provide scant security.
This is as the South African economy becomes more reliant on skilled workers to navigate a knowledge economy. According to PwC [PwC South Africa | Homepage], there were 833 000 fewer unskilled and semi-skilled jobs in the country in 2022. This is compared to the pre-pandemic period. These workers were more likely to lose their jobs during the lockdowns. They were also less likely to regain them compared to their skilled counterparts after the pandemic. Refer to https://www.pwc.co.za/en/press-room/south-africa-economic-outlook-october-2022.html for more reading on this topic.
Notably, the average educational attainment of South African employees remains low. Among the employed, 12,2% hold a degree and 10,8% a diploma or certificate. In 2021, only 34,4% had completed secondary schooling with over two-fifths of employed South Africans not having done so. To put this into context, a staggering about 6,2-million individuals who were working in 2021 did not have workplace literacy skills.
Of notable concern is the slow advancement of indigenous South Africans into skilled level positions in skill-intensive industries. The proportion of Africans in the low skilled and semi-skilled categories is higher than other race groups in these industries. This is a stubborn legacy of the past that is being compounded by an unequal education system. Education in the informal settlement, as well as township and rural areas continues to underperform. Refer to https://www.dhet.gov.za/Planning%20Monitoring%20and%20Evaluation%20Coordination/Report%20on%20Skills%20Supply%20and%20Demand%20in%20South%20Africa%20-%202022%20%281%29.pdf for more reading on the topic.
ABET aimed at unemployed
ABET is also aimed at the many unemployed South Africans who lack essential basic workplace literacy skills. According to Statistics South Africa [https://www.statssa.gov.za/], unemployment rose to more than 30% in the beginning of 2023. Youth remain the most vulnerable with an unemployment rate significantly higher than the national average. A staggering more than 70% of the country’s young adults are currently unemployed. Refer to South Africa’s youth continues to bear the burden of unemployment. | Statistics South Africa (statssa.gov.za) for more reading on the topic.
High youth unemployment is considered one of the biggest threats facing the country. The proportion of young people who are adding value to local and international supply chains is an indicator of a country’s likely trajectory. Considering this, South Africa’s curve is bleak, indeed. Currently, 4,8-million South African citizens aged between 15 and 34 are not employed, in education or training. This group of individuals is of particular concern. They have very limited skills which they are not developing at all and are unable to earn a livelihood.
This disconnects them from the country’s formal economy and society at large with a bleak future outlook. Discontented youth threaten political stability moving forward as has already been demonstrated by mass uprisings and protests. Refer to https://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Publications/Working_Paper_171_-_Youth_Unemployment_and_Political_Instability_in_Selected_Developing_Countries.pdf for more reading on the topic. Meanwhile, more than 70% of South Africans aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed. They are supposed to be the most dynamic and energetic citizens of a country. This is a lost opportunity for South Africa.
ABET helps build equal society
By tackling these problems head-on, ABET also helps to build a more equal society.
The extent to which an oversupply of unskilled labour and unemployment play in growing inequality in South Africa is outlined in a World Bank report. Refer to https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/798731523331698204-0010022018/original/SouthAfricaEconomicUpdateApril2018.pdf. One of the important findings of the study is that focusing on the South African labour market can play a critical role in reducing inequality.
This is considering that the share of inequality explained by education and employment has grown between 2006 and 2015. It now eclipses race, which was previously an important factor in explaining inequality. Skilled workers earn five time more than their unskilled counterparts in the country. The rising wage inequality demonstrates the mismatch between demand and supply for skilled labour. Therefore, reducing the skills gap through improved access to education can help address wage inequities.
In 2015, there were about 6-million workers in the lowest wage bracket. They worked in agriculture, private security, contract cleaning and the taxi industry.
This global phenomenon is also referred to as “the working poor”.
ABET tackles inequality
ABET also tackles poverty and inequality by equipping the unemployed with the skills that they need to participate in a modern economy.
According to the World Bank, about 55,5% of the country’s population lives in poverty at the national upper poverty line. Meanwhile, 25% of South Africans are experiencing food poverty. Refer to https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/33EF03BB-9722-4AE2-ABC7-AA2972D68AFE/Global_POVEQ_ZAF.pdf for more reading on the topic.
Notably, there are about 77 000 available jobs in the country. However, these vacancies require skills that are not currently available locally. Meanwhile, about 300 000 South African jobs have been outsourced to overseas workers because of the dearth of local skills to do them.
The vast majority – 90% – of vacancies in the country are for people with technical skills. These include in the fields of electrical, mechanical, industrial and civil engineering, supported in the field by skilled artisans and technicians. Therefore, the focus should be on developing these capabilities in the country to tackle high unemployment. The first step towards this goal is to equip the unemployed with the foundational skills that they need to learn.
ABET is the first step
ABET is the first step in a lifelong learning journey for low-skilled and unskilled workers, as well as the unemployed.
ABET equips individuals with foundational skills that they need to continue developing their competencies. These include basic literacy and numeracy. Foundational literacy is inclusive listening and speaking with comprehension and the ability to read simple text. Foundational numeracy refers to competence in counting, basic operations and mathematical thinking.
Individuals who have completed all four ABET levels will have literacy and numeracy skills at a National Qualifications Framework Level 1. In other words, these skills are equivalent to someone who has completed Grade 9. Individuals who hold an ABET Level 4 certificate have been primed to enrol for adult matric or anyone of the NC (V) courses. These all lead to a National Qualifications Framework 4. Many individuals who participated in ABET have also gone on to complete university degrees. Notably, ABET stimulated their respect and passion for learning.
ABET is essential
ABET is essential for the more than 4-million adults who are functionally illiterate. Without this intervention, their future is bleak. Notably, many of these individuals are of working age. This means that they are either employed but stuck in low-paying jobs or unemployed because they lack modern workplace skills. Refer to https://www.dhet.gov.za/Planning%20Monitoring%20and%20Evaluation%20Coordination/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Adult%20illiteracy%20in%20South%20Africa_March%202022.pdf for more reading on the topic.
In 2021, people aged between 60 and 64 made up the highest number of illiterates in the country. This was followed by the just under 23% of individuals aged between 55 and 59 who were illiterate. Note that they are still of working age. However, even more concerning is that over 220 000 South Africans aged between 15 and 19 have not completed Grade 7. This is compounded by the over 96 000 citizens of the country aged between 20 and 24 who have also not completed this grade. To perform general and entry-level work, individuals skills need to be at a National Qualifications Framework Level 1.
Worryingly, illiteracy is more prevalent among indigenous South Africans, with an illiteracy rate of 11,9%. This is compared to 0,1% for white adults. Meanwhile, the illiteracy rate for women was 11,3% in 2021 compared to 9,6% for men. This also impedes the transformation of the South African economy and society.
Leading ABET provider
Triple E Training is the country’s leading ABET provider.
Our quality adult literacy and numeracy training programmes are geared at low- and semi-skilled employees and the unemployed in poor communities.
Together with our many clients operating across a broad spectrum of industries, we are making an impact on the skills crisis one learner at a time.
Learn more about Triple E Training and our training solutions. www.eee.co.za
