A staggering 69% of South African graduates wish they had chosen a vocational path instead of pursuing a degree, according to a recent global study by MoneySuperMarket. The research, which surveyed 3,600 graduates, undergraduates, and doctoral holders across 14 countries, highlights a strong preference for trade roles among degree holders in South Africa.
The career most degree holders would choose if they could swap qualifications was electrician, at 29%, followed by mechanic, at 15%. This trend is not unique to South Africa, as electricians also topped the global list of most desired trades, with 19% preferring that career, followed by painter and decorator (12%), mechanic (8%), carpenter/joiner (7%), and heating engineer (6%).
Why South African Graduates Prefer Trades
Among the South African respondents, those working in IT and technology were most likely to want to swap their degrees for trade qualifications. The biggest reason South African degree holders gave for wanting to retrain was for greater autonomy, with 51% stating that being “their own boss” was a primary motivation. This was followed by the ability to do practical hands-on work (38%) and the potential to earn more money (38%).
Being able to choose where they work (28%), better work-life balance (27%), and job security (26%) were also seen as significant motivating factors, while 16% also said they’d prefer a job that didn’t require them to sit in front of a desk all day. Less screen time was a motivating factor for 12% of respondents. As noted on the WikiHow page on becoming an electrician, many people in the trade industry are self-employed and freelance, allowing them to work on different projects all around the world.
Benefits of a Trade Career
According to vehicle technician Hannah Gordon, “Being your own boss in a trade industry is very realistic; many people working in a skilled trade are self-employed and freelance, allowing them to work on different projects all around the world.” Gordon added, “Working in a practical and problem-solving way is extremely satisfying. From being a mechanic, some of the problems we face are extremely hard to figure out. I could spend a few hours tracing a problem but once the issue is found and fixed and the customer has a working vehicle again, it gives you a huge sense of achievement.”
For those interested in learning more about trade careers, the South African Department of Higher Education and Training website provides information on various vocational training programs available in the country.
- Electrician: 29% of respondents preferred this career
- Mechanic: 15% of respondents preferred this career
- Painter and decorator: 12% of respondents preferred this career
- Carpenter/joiner: 7% of respondents preferred this career
- Heating engineer: 6% of respondents preferred this career
