DESIGN REPORT
cAUSES OF GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT
ABSTRAcT
South Africa, which had the continent's highest rate of COVID-19 infections, was in recession before it reported its first coronavirus infection in March and has long suffered from exceedingly high levels of unemployment. Design graduates are finding it difficult to find employment since the epidemic hit the nation. This research study will analyse how the pandemic has made it increasingly challenging for Design graduates to find employment.
The study raised several questions, including: 1) How can universities interface with the design industry to enable design graduate survival in a pandemic? ; 2) What industry and university initiatives exist in SA that empower design graduates in this transitioning phase? ; And 3) How could existing design initiatives in SA assist design graduates in transitioning to the industry? As a result of these three questions, data was captured and collected using a Qualitative research method known as Cluster Sampling, in which consent forms will be provided to Design graduates on the cluster group either via online application form or physical form, provided a questionnaire (Google Form) regarding the unemployment issue at hand.
glossary of terms
SPECTRUM
- used to classify something in terms of its position on a scale between two extreme points
THEOREM
- an idea accepted or proposed as a demonstrable truth often as a part of a general theory
Contrast
- is a rhetorical device through which writers identify differences between two subjects, places, persons, things, or ideas
QUALITATIVE
- involves familiarity with the research methods that are used to gather and manipulate data.
THE DYNAMIC ORGANIZATION
- a common organization pattern that can be referenced from several different organization models.
1. introduction
The enigmatic virus, lately called coronavirus, has surged and spread over the globe, causing a global shift. In order to curb the spread of the virus, the president declared a state of emergency. This has had a massive impact on the country's economic and social aspects, particularly unemployment.
The ongoing COVID-19 epidemic, as well as the governmental measures put in place to counteract it, are having a significant impact on residents' economic and social life. They endanger millions of people's jobs as well as their long-term livelihoods and well-being throughout the planet. South Africa has not been spared the pandemic's socioeconomic consequences. Its economy has been in decline since March 2020, when it went under a strict lockdown as the primary public health response to halt the virus's spread. Many citizens are being retrenched from their various employment as a result of the rapid changes in lockdown levels and limitations. Even before the epidemic, unemployment was at an all-time high, but the outbreak has caused the unemployment rate to rise. As university/college graduates prepare to enter the industry, many are finding it challenging to obtain work, despite the skillset they have gained throughout their education.
RESEARcH QUESTION
- How can the Design Industry set out more occupations for graduates and help to flatten the curve of unemployment in the country?
SUB-RESEARcH QUESTIONS
- What are the main causes of unemployment in South Africa?
- Which method(s) are in place in order to flatten the curve of unemployment amongst the South African youth?
- How could the Design Industry implement a better way to create more job opportunities for the graduates in the country?
2. Design report
With the mysterious virus, recently called coronavirus, had risen and spread across the globe, bringing about an overall turmoil. With one of the virus’ qualities/characteristics of spreading through little, small drops from an infected individual by sneezing or coughing, the government took the choice of obliging the residents to self-isolation and follow the work-from-home procedure in order to lessen the spread of the virus throughout the economy and to deplete the number of infected citizens. This pandemic has also had a major impact on the economic and social aspects of the country in many areas, mainly unemployment. With the sudden changes of lockdown levels with its restrictions, many citizens are being excluded from their respective workplaces because of the pandemic, leading to the unemployment rate increase. For university/college graduates, it is highly unlikely for them to get employed as they are being made vulnerable in the labour market.
On this literature review, I will dwell deeper into the matter by examining on what has been researched on the causes of unemployment in the country, the methods that are already implemented in order to flatten the curve of unemployment amongst the graduates/youth, and on how the industry could implement a preferable method/system to create more job opportunities for university & college graduates.
2.1 Graduate employability during the pandemic.
When South Africa went into national lockdown on March 26, 2020, students and university career advisers had one major fear in common: how would the class of 2020 discover, as well as obtain graduate job opportunities amidst the pandemic. According to Stats SA, 31% of graduates under the age of 24 were unemployed in the first quarter of 2019, contributing weight to this problem. In the Statistics South Africa’s Q4 2020 Quarterly Labour Force Survey (Amadeo. K. 2020) anticipated a slight decrease in graduate and intern numbers this year, followed by a little increase.
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The majority of recruitment activities are likely to be implemented through a combination of online and face-to-face delivery. Most young graduates are unemployed for three to nine months — but a sizable proportion are unemployed for a prolonged period of time, with over a quarter unemployed for more than three years. The majority of young South Africans with other tertiary qualifications (56 percent) are unemployed for at least a year.
According to the BCG (Amadeo. K. 2020), highly educated South Africans and the older generation are the most severely impacted groups in terms of Covid-19 and its impact on their job position — the exact reverse of the worldwide trend. As a result, graduates and current students are constantly being prepared for employment. We are also always ensuring that students have networking chances with industry partners through an online platform.
2.2 Existing initiatives that support graduate transition into industry.
There are several initiatives in the Design Business that assist design graduates in transitioning into the industry. The Loeries (Loeries, 2021) and Design Indaba (Design Indaba, 2020) are two programs that empower people and help them construct better futures. Through design and creativity, Design Indaba inspires and empowers individuals to build a better future. Do Tank is an online newspaper with an annual festival and social effect. Based on the basis of the yearly festival that has drawn and displayed the world's best talent since 1995, Design Indaba has become a renowned institution on the worldwide creative scene. Design Indaba has expanded its year-round offering with their online design journal, which showcases the finest of the world's innovation. It also use the platform as an agent of change, harnessing design and innovation to better serve people.
They showcase design for the 99 percent – with a special emphasis on African innovation – and design that is related to enhancing people's quality of life. Their goal as a brand is to promote the idea that creativity and design have the potential to spark an economic revolution not only in South Africa, but internationally. For the last 25 years, they have travelled the world, collaborating with designers that embody this concept and are leaders in their respective industries. We've made it our full-time mission to share the information they've learned and the relationships they've established.
2.3 Programmes that South African design initiatives offer.
The Design Indaba Emerging Creatives initiative is a training ground for young creatives with limited industry experience. It was founded in 2005 as a result of our strong belief in developing fresh creative talent and removing some of the hurdles that prevent young people from establishing a footprint in the creative industry.
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The participants will have the opportunity to. The chosen participants will get the opportunity to meet local and worldwide industry experts, be inspired by the finest designers in the world, and their work will be presented to a global audience of buyers and journalists. In an ongoing effort to improve the brand communication business and encourage youth development, the Loeries has established the Loeries Youth Committee Mentorship Programme in collaboration with Facebook Africa and the UN Women South Africa Multi-Country Office. The committee is made up of 15 vibrant young professionals chosen from around the African continent through an application and interview process open to brand communication experts under the age of 30. The Loeries Board, Facebook, and UN Women will mentor them so that they can be a voice for the industry's young.
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The Loeries Youth Committee's goals include amplifying good social messaging among the committee's peer group and providing a formalized forum for networking and skill transfer in order to keep top talent in the sector. The trip also includes coaching to help with skill development and an acceleration route. During their one-year term, Facebook Africa will hold sessions with the committee to train them, with the goal of equipping committee members with the strategic tools and thinking necessary to fulfil their objectives.
3. RESEARcH DESIGN, METHODOLOGY
AND METHODS
3.1 METHODOLOGY - QUALITATIVE RESEARCH (cLUSTER SAMPLING)
The type of research method that I’ll be choosing for my research is the Quantitative research method. Qualitative research is the numerical representation and manipulation of observations for the purpose of defining and explaining the phenomenon that those observations represent, plus it is used in a variety of situations. My reason for choosing this type of research method is because it gives you accurate, pre-determined, and finely-tuned information, which requires less flexibility, imaginative input, and reflexivity (Brannen. J. 2017).
The methodology that I have decided to go with for my research process is the Cluster Sampling methodology. Also, this methodology is mostly practical and to be used in large national surveys (Acharya. S.A. et.al, 2013). An example of a scenario/research that has used the Cluster Sampling methodology is a survey of first-year college students to assess their own understanding of the Human
Papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, in assumption, that all of Delhi’s colleges are clustered. The reason why this type of methodology was chosen for this specific study is that it only selects certain groups from the whole population, which requires fewer resources for the sampling process, plus it is generally cheaper than the other sampling methodologies such as Simple sampling. The division of the whole population into different groups increases the viability of the sampling process.
In reference to criticism from the author, D.J Ketchen and C.L Shook, I have extracted some points highlighted from their journal about the application of cluster analysis in research. They have indicated that the technique’s application has hampered the capacity of cluster analysis study to produce information. It is also mentioned that given the state of the related methodological science, this is not surprising as the methodological texts generally agree that the critical issues associated with the use of cluster analysis are: selecting clustering variables; whether or not to make the variables standard; the occurrence of high intercorrelations among two or more independent variables; selection of suitable clustering platforms; deciding the number of clusters; and validation of clusters, but however, these often disagree with each other on how to fix the issue at hand (Ketchen, D.J, et.al, 1996).
In my own words, I would disagree with the criticism of the two authors regarding the methodology of research. As there are infinite ways that one can use to implement this type of methodology into their research practice in order to suit them and to be able to obtain the required data information from the specified target audience such as organizing your data properly, check the availability of your target audience, be precise and stick to your planning in order to avoid mishaps in your research.
3.2 ETHIcAL RESEARcH PRAcTIcE
In terms of ethics, I will adhere to the following principles for ethical research: social and clinical value, scientific validity, fair subject selection, a favourable risk-benefit ratio, independent evaluation, informed permission, and respect for potential and enrolled subjects (NIH Clinical Centre. 2016). The ethical principles/guidelines provided will give me confidence that the approach adopted will be successful.
With my target audience, I will first offer consent forms to each member of the cluster group, either through an online application form or a physical form, and then they will be given a questionnaire (Google Form) about the problem of graduate unemployment. Following the procedure, the data will be completely gathered and evaluated before being placed in a data collection system, such as the Oracle Database or the CPUT Database, where it will be further analysed and classified in connection to the various cluster groups. It will subsequently be published or tested, depending on the findings of the secondary procedure. The classified data information obtained from the numerous cluster groups will subsequently be utilized to flatten the country's graduate unemployment curve, allowing every university graduate to be employed in their assigned qualification.
cONSENT FORM TEMPLATE
VISUALISATION OF METHODOLOGY
4. ANALYSIS & FINDINGS
1. INTRODUcTION
South Africa, which had the highest prevalence of COVID-19 infections on the continent, was already in recession when it reported its first coronavirus infection in March, and has long suffered from extremely high levels of unemployment. In result to wanting to dig deeper into this matter and find out the root cause, For the Design Report, I gathered information from Visual Communication Design Alumni/Graduates on their experiences looking for work in the middle of the epidemic. In this Data Analysis, I will present the themes that were found and expose them to demonstrate how they are related to one another.
2. THEMES
2.1 UNCERTAINTY
The term "uncertainty" refers to a lack of certainty regarding someone or something. Uncertainty can vary from a lack of assurance to an almost total absence of conviction or understanding, particularly concerning a result or outcome (Webster.M, 2021).
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With the sudden changes in lockdown levels and its restrictions, university students are widely regarded as a vulnerable group, with increased rates of anxiety and stress, and with the nature of their educational experience radically changing, such as sheltering in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, availability of a workspace, having to follow the health protocols in order to protect their families and friends from contracting the virus, students are highly unlikely to get employed amidst the pandemic (McAnirlin O, et al. 2021).
Two participants from the sample group, named Survey Participant 1 & 2, suggest that there are factors that contribute to the uncertainty of not getting employed. Survey Participant 1 clearly states the response to one of the survey questions relating to finding employment, “Very stressful. Finding work alone is a challenge, but considering your health as well as your family's is a whole new level for everyone.”, which shows the impact that the lockdown has to them.
The majority of recruiting activities such as are carried out using a combination of online and face-to-face delivery methods. The majority of young graduates are unemployed for three to nine months, but a significant number remain unemployed for an extended length of time, with more than a quarter unemployed for more than three years. The majority of young South Africans with other tertiary credentials (56%) have been out of work for at least a year. (Mattes, R.B., 2002)
2.2 SCARCITY OF RESOURCES
Scarcity refers to the limited availability of a resource. With the lockdown in place, the national lockdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was little point seeking work during a period of lockdown due to the limited or no availability of resources needed, people become discouraged and felt there was little point seeking work during a period of lockdown. (ILO-OECD. 2020)
In 2020, according to research from the Institute of Student Employers, businesses are already decreasing the number of graduates they expect to recruit. With the limitations of resources such as Wi-Fi access, it leads to the lack of necessary information that will benefit the participants in entering the industry (Johnson, P. 2020).
2.3 AVAILABILITY OF WORKSPACE
A workspace is a space used or required for one's work, as in an office or home, and in regards to the measure put in place to curb the spread of the virus, a working-from-home strategy is implemented, which it has a major impact to the graduates who have limited resources.
In recent study, working from home increased performance by 13%, but for some, it has a negative impact regarding the change of workspace and adapting to the new work strategy. A recommendation is to find it helpful to concentrate on figuring out what tactics NWs employ in their mobile workstyle. The pastoralist technique may be used to extract fundamental concerns about the type of setting, how they find resources, and how they interact with others (who might be non-nomads). These focuses served as a framework through which the data retrieved from the survey is analyzed to highlight the major issues that NWs experience. (Rynhart.G, et.al, 2020)
Some businesses may have prior experience with setting up WFH plans or may already have emergency WFH plans in place. Many firms, on the other hand, are going to be establishing WFH arrangements for the first time, and they must do so swiftly and uniformly across the board (Chang.J.H. et.al, 2020).
5. CONCLUSION
For my Design Report, the following research questions were identified: 1) How can universities interface with the design industry to enable design graduate survival in a pandemic? 2) What industry and university initiatives exist in SA that empower design graduates in this transitioning phase? And 3) How could existing design initiatives in SA assist design graduates in transitioning to the industry? As a result of these three questions, data was captured and collected using a Qualitative research method known as Cluster Sampling, in which consent forms will be provided to Design graduates on the cluster group either via online application form or physical form, provided a questionnaire (Google Form) regarding the unemployment issue at hand.
The following were the themes covered in this study:
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Uncertainty
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Scarcity of Resources
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Availability of Workspace
According to the research, Uncertainty, scarcity of resources, and workspace availability are all variables that lead to Graduate unemployment, and due to the high rate of unawareness, not being able to acquire resources needed to deal with the strategy implemented, and not being able to abbess suitable information needed for seeking jobs, not all job activities and duties can be performed outside of the employer's premises or the designated workplace. WFH is neither practicable or possible in some organizations, occupations, or activities, or it cannot be applied in a safe basis. Employers need investigate and execute an alternate plan for job responsibilities and activities that cannot be completed remotely, as well as for workers with restrictions at home or health and safety concerns that preclude WFH (Chang.J.H. et.al, 2020).
The area of need that requires VCD intervention based on the research conducted is the students not having enough knowledge of any Design support initiatives that enhance graduate employability and the participants being unaware of successful platforms that offer job opportunities amidst the pandemic. It would be beneficial for this area of need to be addressed as this would help the participants who are in their final years in their respective course to find better, sufficient ways of gaining more information on the existing Design support initiatives that aid young, fresh designers in transitioning into the industry. Throughout it all, businesses will continue to hire graduates and use their abilities to propel their operations ahead. Despite some alarming experiences from all respondents, no one is predicting a total elimination of graduates being recruited for employment. The process of graduate recruiting is likely to move online, but the desire for companies to hire graduates is unlikely to go away (Institute of Student Employers. 2020).
6. LIST OF REFERENCES
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Here’s how long some people have been sitting without a job in South Africa. 2021. Here’s how long some people have been sitting without a job in South Africa. [ONLINE] Available at: https://businesstech.co.za/news/business/497115/heres-how-long-some-people-have-been-sitting-without-a-job-in-south-africa/. [Accessed 20 June 2021].
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Finding Work During a Pandemic: A Guide for Graduates: Part 1 | Careers Service. 2021. Finding Work During a Pandemic: A Guide for Graduates: Part 1 | Careers Service. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.careers.uct.ac.za/news/finding-work-during-pandemic-guide-graduates. [Accessed 20 June 2021].
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The impact of Covid-19 on employability in higher education. 2021. The impact of Covid-19 on employability in higher education. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/499/206515.html. [Accessed 20 June 2021].
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The Loeries: Loeries launches an empowerment focused youth committee. 2021. The Loeries: Loeries launches an empowerment focused youth committee. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.loeries.com/loeries2021.aspx?link=education_youthcommittee. [Accessed 20 June 2021].
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Design Indaba. 2021. About Design Indaba | Design Indaba. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.designindaba.com/about-design-indaba. [Accessed 20 June 2021].
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