The Diploma Dilemma

A recent post by a recruitment agency based in Lusaka sparked my interest. Prosoft Solutions founded by entrepreneur and motivational speaker, Miyanda Maimbo posted the following to their facebook page

"GRADUATES - I HAVE GOOD NEWS. As part of my social responsibility through my Charity Foundation we offer to find you internship or graduate trainee positions. This service is for FREE to both the company taking you and to you."

The post continued on to specify the help to be offered and how to contact the agency. I was heartened to see such an effort to engage recent graduates into the workforce as this is not common practice in Zambia. A follow up post came soon after the agency must have been inundated with inquiries from diploma holders and out of work degree holders. The message was uncompromisingly clear; only first degree holders with NO job experience need apply.

Unemployment Conundrum

According to World Bank projection the unemployment rate in Zambia is around 15 %. Of course, this does not take into account the informal sector and there is much debate whether the perceived high unemployment is real. [See The Daily Mail article ‘Are unemployment statistics real?’]  However for recent graduates who scrapped together expensive tuition and managed to get into highly selective schools, the unemployed status is real enough.

The rest of Africa does not fare any better with a youth unemployment rate of 59.5%. Keep in mind that the youth compose just over a third of the working-age population in sub-Saharan Africa. A quick glance at the recruitment advertisements in the three major papers in Zambia shows that Bachelor’s degrees with at least three years of experience is often required for entry level positions. This does not bode well for the legions of diploma holders from one of the many institutes of higher learning in Lusaka.  Nor for a recent University of Zambia graduate trying to  break into the ranks of the working class or the ‘Ba-Some-Of-Us’ as they are called by minibus conductors.  

What can be done?                           

A solution to a societal deficiency in Zambia often starts with ‘Government must’ and while we should not hasten to excuse a government’s inefficiency, personal responsibility is key. Individual responsibility and action like that of Ms. Maimbo and her company Prosoft should be encouraged, commended and incentivized. Once we acknowledge that our problems are not easily solved by a presidential directive or legislative resolution and that we are indeed part of the solution, we can change our own small spheres of influence.

 Find out more about Prosoft Solutions and Miaynda Maimbo here.