Skills vs Qualifications…Does It Matter if a Course is Flooded? HR Responds

By Jane Okoth,

It is rather depressing that a significant number of graduates decide to undertake specific courses with the hope that they have enough employment opportunities.

The outcome is that these so called professions in the industry end up being presumed to be “saturated” because so many people decided to pursue a particular course.

Take a look at some of the professions which have the highest number of graduates ready to step into the employment industry and what rings into your mind is- does it mean that their opportunities are always available?

A look at most of the companies employment needs, puts logic into why many people scramble to pursue professionals.

For instance almost every company requires the services of Accountants, Sales persons, IT professionals or even Human Resource Personnel just to mention but a few.

Exactly what does this means to job seekers and does that mean that the ignored courses do not stand a chance in the employment industry?

On seeking clarification on the issue, I spoke to Farayi Ziswa, the Managing Director of BTL Consulting Limited.

“From my own experience, the common courses taken by most people in business are Accounting, Marketing, HR and IT. Once in employment though, most employees through work experience, promotions and opportunity will gravitate to difference roles from what they studied” he mentions.

What of job seekers who decided to pursue the ‘less famous’ courses? Where is their future? I pose.

“In a growing economy like Kenya and East Africa as a whole, opportunities will keep arising and demand for professionals of all courses, will grow,” he responds.

Mr Ziswa further argues that the issue is not that the job market is getting saturated with professionals but the question of whether there are enough “quality professionals” working in the market.

Peter Ndiangui, the OLX Country Manager says that as far as the job prospects are concerned in any profession, what matters is the skill.

“It has to do with the ability to do good analysis of anything,” he says.

These courses, according to Mr Ndiangui do lie in Science, Engineering and Mathematics.

“When it comes to IT skills in the market, one has to be more specific as the country is in dire need of software technology and also the potential technology,” he says.

“This is because simple IT skills are less in demand and that’s the reason for deep understanding on how to develop the courses,” he explains.

“Too often, just because one has a degree or a diploma, they tend to assume that they should earn the big bucks before even a day of work,” says Mr Ziswa.

“When they don’t get the automatic perks they expect, the impulse is to move jobs regularly until they get the desired packages; or until they grow weary of moving,” he adds.

This mobility of personnel according to Mr. Ziswa is a good thing for the pool of students completing their current courses, because it creates more opportunities for those coming into the market.

It does pose a potential challenge though; the new employee will now be meeting with the positive or negative baggage left by the last person, with the employer.

On his parting shot, Mr. Ziswa offers guidance on what he thinks job seekers should keep in mind as far as their choice of profession is concerned.

“Learn, don’t cram! Work experience, skills, a positive work attitude and attention to detail at the workplace remain pivotal for ones career,” he advices.

He concludes by saying that, “Employees, whatever the qualifications, must prove these qualities first.”

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