Why You Should Study a Scarce Skill

Scarce skill qualifications are skills that are in demand. This is the reason many students choose to complete these courses. They also help the economy.

Here are the (10) ten reasons you should study a scarce skill:

  1. Accredited qualifications
  2. Recognised by employers 
  3. Scarce skill qualification positions allow you to earn a salary that is above minimum wage
  4. You stand a greater chance of being employed because your skills are in demand 
  5. You can work nationally and internationally
  6. Get into an industry that allows you to get into different positions
  7. Always learn new skills that are important to your field of study
  8. You can study a scarce skill quicker than other skills
  9. You can study a scarce skill through distance learning

You can study with or without Matric

What Are Scarce Skills?

Scarce skills are skills that are in demand, which means that employers are looking for people who have these qualifications. This does not only refer to the current qualifications that are in demand, it can also be qualifications that may be scarce in the future. 

Scarce skills occur because of these (2) two reasons:

  1. People with scarce skill qualifications are already employed
  2. There are people that are interested in the positions available, but they do not have the qualifications

The 2016 scarce skill guide by LGSETA (Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority) explains that there are (2) two types of scarce skills, namely:

  1. Absolute scarcity
  2. Relative scarcity

Absolute Scarcity

This type of scarcity generally occurs when a new occupation emerges. This means that very few people have the qualifications to enter this field of study. This could be because:

  • Government has not implemented strategies to implement these qualifications
  • Students are not interested in the field of study

Relative Scarcity

This is when people have the qualifications, but they are not available to do the job. This usually occurs because:

  • People do not want to cannot work far from home (For example, a student lives in the Northern Cape, but there is an employment opportunity in Johannesburg. The student does not have the resources to relocate, or they prefer to work in their city)
  • Students have the qualifications but have very little or no experience in the field of study
  • Students are in the process of getting a scarce skill qualification, but by the time they are qualified there are very few or no opportunities available

What Are The Scarce Skills Jobs In Any Field Of Study?

Here is a list of some scarce skills jobs in any field of study:

  • Team Leader – R 12 726 per month
  • Supervisor – R 11 229 per month
  • Manager – R 19 952 per month
  • Sales Assistant – R 5 597 per month

What Are The Most Needed Skills In South Africa?

The most needed skills in South Africa are:

List Of Scarce Skills

Which Courses Are In High Demand In South Africa?

Here are some of the courses that we offer that are in High Demand in South Africa:

ICB Courses

These courses are designed by ICB and are provided through training providers such as Matric College. These courses are accredited by:

Here are all the ICB Programmes that we provide at Matric College:
  1. ICB Business Management
  2. ICB Financial Accounting
  3. ICB Office Administration
Each ICB Programme has at least (3) three to (4) four courses that build on each other. You have to complete the first course to enter the next course. Here is an image explaining the process:
How ICB Courses Work

ICB Business Management

If you are interested in any business-related environment, or you would like to start your own business, then you should pursue these courses: 

You can apply for our first course with these entry requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years or older to apply
  • Have a Grade 11 Certificate or
  • Grade 11 Equivalent Certificate (NQF Level 3)
  • Or our ICB Bridging Course which is at NQF Level 3
  • Understand, read and write English
  • Study through distance learning

ICB Financial Accounting

If you are interested in becoming a Bookkeeper or an Assistant Accountant, then you should consider completing any of these courses:

You can apply for our first course with these entry requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years or older to apply
  • Have a Grade 10 Certificate or
  • Grade 10 Equivalent Certificate (NQF Level 2)
  • Understand, read and write English
  • Study through distance learning

ICB Office Administration

If you are interested in working in an office environment and completing administrative tasks, then you should consider completing the following courses:

You can apply for our first course with these entry requirements:

  • Be at least 16 years or older to apply
  • Have a Grade 12 Certificate or
  • Grade 12 Equivalent Certificate (NQF Level 4)
  • Or one of our Matric Equivalent Certificates

NATED Courses

These courses were designed by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to provide unemployed youth with the opportunity to find employment. These courses are both practical and theoretical, which means that students will be equipped with the necessary skills and work experience to start working. Employers employ these graduates because they already have work experience. 

These courses are accredited by:

Here are all the NATED Courses that we provide at Matric College:

Each NATED Programme has (4) four courses that build on each other. You have to complete the first course to enter the next course. Here is an image of how our NATED Courses work:

How do nated courses work

Business Management NATED Courses

Financial Management NATED Courses

Human Resource Management NATED Courses

Management Assistant NATED Courses

Marketing Management NATED Courses

What Are The Entry Requirements For All The NATED Courses?

Here is what you need to qualify for any of our NATED Courses:

If you do not have a Matric Certificate and would like to apply for our ICB Office Administration Programme or any of our NATED Courses, then you should consider applying for any of these Matric Courses:

  • Adult Matric: You can apply for this course if you do not have Matric

Here is what you need to apply for this course:

    • Be 21 or older. If you are only 19 years old, you may apply, but you have to be 21 when you apply for the final exam.
    • Have a Grade 9 Certificate. You may also apply with an ABET Level 4 Qualification.
    • Study through distance learning. This means that you will not attend any classes.
    • Understand, read and write in Afrikaans or English. These are the only languages that we provide our course in.

Here is what you need to apply for this course:

    • You must have completed the Matric final exam. This means that you can apply with any Matric Certificate or statement of results.
    • Study the Matric Upgrade Course through distance learning. You will not attend any physical classes at Matric College.
    • Understand, read and write English. This course is only provided in English.

Benefits Of Studying At Matric College?

There are many benefits to studying a scarce skill qualification at Matric College. Below are some examples of these benefits:

  • You can work and study. This allows you to decide when you are going to submit assignments or study for the final exam.
  • Study in your own time. The pace of your studies is up to you.
  • Study from anywhere in the world. We do not offer physical classes, which means that you can study with us even if you are abroad. As long as you write the final exams in South Africa.
  • Register when you are ready. We have no deadlines for registration. Applications are accepted year-round.
  • Get textbooks from us. We will send you the necessary textbooks when you register with us.

How Do You Identify Critical And Scarce Skills?

You can identify a scarce skill by looking at which industries:

  1. Make the most money
  2. Need people with qualifications

Why Are Skilled Workers Important?

Skilled workers are important because they help build an economy. They are also important because some businesses cannot function without them. For example, most if not all businesses need people in managerial positions.

How Do You Address A Skill Gap?

You can address a skill gap by completing a qualification that allows you to master that skill. This way you are equipped to do the work, and can:

  • Earn a decent salary
  • Get a promotion
  • Work abroad
  • Become skilled in that field of study
  • Become a candidate for most positions, available

Which Job Will Be In Demand In Future?

There are many jobs that will be in demand in the future. Here are some of the many jobs that will be in demand in the future:

What Are The Highest Paying Jobs In South Africa?

Here is a list of the highest paying jobs in South Africa:

How Do You Overcome A Lack Of Skills?

You can overcome a lack of skills by:

Matric College Application Process

Our application process is simple. Here is what you need to do:

  1. Apply online
  2. Speak to a Course Expert
  3. Become a Matric College student

This simple application can be completed with the click of a button. Contact us today and gain a scarce skill qualification.

Author: Jesmé Africa
Editor: Amy Venter
Date Published: May 26, 2022