Graduate employability has been a common subject among researchers, governments and
higher education systems around the world. However, while there is a lot of information and
numerous models that inform on graduate employability, there has been limited empirical
research in this area. Furthermore, most employability studies have been conducted in the
United Kingdom and other parts of the world, which may not be representative of the South
African environment. Despite Information Technology (IT) being one of the most sought
after qualification by employers in South Africa, it still remains unclear as to why many IT
graduates struggle to secure jobs after graduation. This study provides insight into the
concept of employability in South Africa, with a particular focus on Information Systems (IS)
graduates in Cape Town. The study addresses three research questions: What individual
factors affect the employability of IS graduates in Cape Town, South Africa? Who is
responsible for graduate employability in South Africa? How can employability be embedded
into South African curriculums?
The study was guided by Dacre Pool and Sewell's (2007) CareerEDGE model, and Yorke and
Knight's (2006) definition of employability. Data was collected from 19 individuals using
focus group and in-depth interviews. Results showed that career development learning,
experience (work and life), degree subject knowledge, skills and understanding, generic
skills, emotional intelligence, self-confidence and reflection and evaluation affected one’s
employability. Employers, graduates and academic institutions were each expected to play a
role in graduate employability. To embed employability into curriculums, universities need to
ensure that curriculums are aligned to industry needs, that there is a balance between the soft
and hard skills taught and that effective methods of teaching are being used. Universities are
also encouraged to incorporate experiential learning in their programs and to provide proper
career guidance counselling services to students early in their degree studies, so that students
can make informed decisions regarding career paths and goals, and start tailoring their skills
accordingly