Institutional mentorship for graduate empowerment and work-readiness in South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20853/40-4-7307Keywords:
Graduate unemployment, Employability, Institutional Mentorship, Higher Education, LabourAbstract
Despite a growing pool of graduates, South Africa grapples with persistent graduate unemployment. This challenge is frequently attributed to a gap between education and workplace needs, prevalent skill shortages, and concerns that higher education institutions (HEIs) may not fully equip students for the realities of the world of work. Against this backdrop, the main research issue of this study is whether institutional mentorship can effectively empower graduates and improve their work-readiness, therefore providing a workable approach to lower graduate unemployment in South Africa. Under Kram's mentorship theory, which looks at the link between mentorship and employability, the study used electronic survey responses from alumni of a South African HEI to assess the effect of institutional mentorship. The findings reveal that institutional mentorship programmes can positively shape graduates' personal and professional development. Based on these insights, the study puts forward specific strategies and recommendations to enhance graduates' success in the job market and tackle the broader issue of graduate unemployment.
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