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Strategies for Using ICT Skills in Educational Systems for Sustainable Youth Employability in South Africa

Author

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  • Abiodun Alao

    (Applied Information Systems Department, School of Consumer Intelligence, and Information Systems, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

  • Roelien Brink

    (Applied Information Systems Department, School of Consumer Intelligence, and Information Systems, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2028, South Africa)

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can play a significant role in the socioeconomic development of many countries. Digitisation in South Africa has increased, and ICT skills are pivotal in the sustainability of youth employability in the labour market. Hence, ICT skills, soft, hard, and technical skills are required in government, private organisations, and businesses. This study aims to investigate possible ways educational systems can adopt ICT skills to improve youth employability in South Africa. This study examines the factors that affect youth employability such as lack of ICT skills, access, income, affordability, infrastructure, poverty gap, inequality, lack of education, lack of access to information, and high demand for IT skills expectations in organisations as among the challenges that hinder youth employability in the South African economy. We propose that educational institutions should incorporate practical pedagogy to prepare qualified youths for the labour market. This study focuses on using ICTs for the sustainable development of youth employability in South Africa. The Sustainable Livelihood Theory was used as the study framework while the quantitative method was used for the data collection process. The researchers used close-ended and open-ended questions to draft a questionnaire to gather data from 49 respondents. We triangulated the received data from youths living in the East Rand of Johannesburg. Results derived from the study show the significance of ICT skills in educational systems on youth employability. The practical implication of the study recommends that policymakers implement ICT skill strategies to support educational institutions to prepare youths for the labour market.

Suggested Citation

  • Abiodun Alao & Roelien Brink, 2022. "Strategies for Using ICT Skills in Educational Systems for Sustainable Youth Employability in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:24:p:16513-:d:998639
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gupta, Sunita & Jain, Megha & Nagpal, Aishwarya, 2019. "An Empirical Investigation on associated linkage between Human Development and ICT: A South Asian Perspective," MPRA Paper 96167, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    2. World Bank, 2012. "2012 Information and Communications for Development : Maximizing Mobile [Information et communications au service du développement : Exploiter au maximum la téléphonie mobile]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 11958.
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