This week, the Department of Basic Education released the 2024 matric results, and the country celebrated the highest matric pass rate in its history, rising from 82.9% in 2023 to 87.3% in 2024.
Amidst the celebrations, many young South Africans now find themselves at a crossroads, pondering their next steps. Juan Hanekom, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers Association (SAMBRA), a proud association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), emphasises the importance of broadening the scope of career options for matriculants. "University isn't the only pathway to a fulfilling career. The MBR sector provides a wealth of opportunities that can lead to rewarding and successful careers," says Hanekom.
Professor Nadine Petersen, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg, concurs, saying, “The reality is there isn’t enough space for all the kids who get bachelor passes to enter university. So, what happens to these kids? We are selling our children in this country the narrative that you can only get ahead in life if you have a bachelor’s pass and go to university. There are respectable positions and career opportunities for young South Africans through other kinds of post-school education, and I don’t think we prioritise those pathways strongly enough in this country.”
For those who didn’t secure a university exemption, the Motor Body Repair (MBR) industry offers an exciting and viable alternative, packed with opportunities for growth, stability, and success. Many of these skills can be obtained in-house or through one of the 50 registered and accredited public TVET Colleges in South Africa, which operate on approximately 364 campuses across rural and urban areas. Matriculants are encouraged to visit the Khetha career portal of the DHET. The various TVET colleges offer an array of qualifications, including sought-after artisanal qualifications.
Hanekom highlights that the industry faces a significant skills shortage, creating a high demand for well-trained professionals. Contrary to outdated perceptions, the MBR industry offers diverse roles, from technical positions like motor body repair and sophisticated spray-painting techniques to non-technical roles in administration, customer service, workshop management, and finance. "We are also seeing more hybrid roles, such as damage estimation careers that blend technical knowledge with administrative skills, utilising qualifications like Vehicle Damage Quantifier (VDQ)."
He notes that as of 1 July 2024, a significant and exciting transition took place, marking a shift from legacy qualifications to occupational qualifications. “This change marks a new era in apprentice training programmes, where accredited training providers, including public TVET colleges and private training centres, can now play a central role.”
Under the new system, training providers will deliver the theoretical knowledge and practical components of training, while employers will provide the essential workplace experience for apprentices. Hanekom says this collaborative approach ensures apprentices gain comprehensive, real-world skills that meet industry demands.
“To fully benefit from this transition, we encourage employers and young people to actively engage with accredited training providers in their area. By embracing this change, you can play a pivotal role in shaping a skilled workforce for the future, ready to meet the evolving needs of our industries,” he says.
The artisan programmes offered at many TVET Colleges throughout the country provide an excellent entry point into the workforce, with virtually guaranteed employment upon qualification. "Qualified tradesmen are well-respected worldwide, and in many European countries, they even earn more than doctors or lawyers."
"We need young, talented individuals to help sustain and grow our industry. With the right skills and training, they can look forward to a stable and prosperous career," Hanekom concludes.