“Still haven't found what I am looking for”: rural black students' perceived work readiness and assessment of labor market access

Abstract

Purpose South African Black graduates experience a transition challenge between the higher education context and the labor market system. The study focuses on rural Black students' perceived work readiness and assessment of labor market access in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach Focus groups and unstructured individual interviews were conducted with 30 final-year students enrolled at a historically Black university in South Africa. Findings Four main narratives were found to affect rural Black students' perceptions of work readiness and their assessment of labor market access in South Africa. These include: (1) language of instruction within the higher education system, (2) challenges around access to career counseling and guidance services, (3) dealing with a curriculum system not relevant to the lived experiences of Black people and finally, (4) challenges inherent within higher education institution attended by Black students. A thread among these four appraisals appears to be the rural Black students' concern around the entire education system from basic to higher education. Originality/value The paper sheds light and presents an understanding of perceptions of an educational system and issues around work readiness and labor market access in South Africa.