Getting a job after Matric – Jobs that don’t require qualifications

Once you have passed Matric, you will then need to take the necessary steps to establish your future. Whilst some careers require further education (through universities and colleges) you might find yourself unable to venture into tertiary studies for any of the following reasons:

You didn’t acquire the necessary grades.
Your financial situation does not allow you to study further (if you are looking for bursaries, please visit this page for all bursaries open for application).
You are not interested in any degree or diploma programme.

If this is the case, you can rest assured that you can still establish a future without a tertiary qualification. There are many small companies and large organisations that take on matriculants as entry-level trainees. This, coupled with dedication to working and learning, and the aid of the employer could lead to skill expansion, professional certificates and qualifications, as well as secured promotions.

After a few years of on-the-job training and practical experience, you could also acquire the necessary skills, qualifications, and industry knowledge needed to start your own business. It is possible to become an entrepreneur without the need of a university degree- it just takes hard work and dedication.

Read the rest of our Career Guidance Articles and Tips here

Career paths that do not require a tertiary qualification

Office Administrator/ Data Entry Clerk

In this position, you will be responsible for running and facilitating administrative tasks within an office environment. The role of a clerk can vary from office to office, with some tasks including answering telephone calls, organizing files, and submitting important documents.

Call Centre Agent

In this position, you will be handling all incoming and/or outgoing customer calls. You may also find yourself with responsibilities such as dealing with customer complaints, support issues, and account inquiries.

Retail

In this position, you will need to have excellent people skills as you will be dealing with customers on a daily basis, and ultimately want them to buy your products. Retail jobs often include a commission structure, meaning that you can earn more if you perform well (this is something that not many entry level jobs offer.)
Retail jobs also often provide sales training and the opportunity to upskill and move to a managerial role.

Digital Content Creation

Establishing a social-media following takes time. Therefore, if you want to become an influencer, blogger, or an internet personality, you will need to engage various social media platforms on a daily basis. As a content creator, you will need to find out who your audience is and what they are interested in, honing in on these areas with enticing and informative posts.

E-hailing Driver

An e-hailing driver is someone who uses their own vehicle to pick up passengers and drive them to various locations. Should you have your own road-worthy car or bike, you can register on platforms such as Bolt, Uber, DiDi Driver and more.

Tutor

In this position, you will be teaching small groups or individual students a new skill/ information. Tutoring is a great avenue for people who have done well in high school subjects (namely Languages, Mathematics, and Sciences.)

Au Pair/ Babysitting

In this position, you will need to be professional, experienced and (in some instances) trained to take care of other people’s children. Au pairing/ babysitting is an important job as you will be looking after a child’s welfare (and at times, be required to fulfill household duties.)

This is just a small list of the many avenues one can venture into without tertiary studies. There are a number of jobs that celebrate a willingness to learn and succeed whilst allowing you to practice customer service and/or enhancing your skills. Provided you work hard, remain dedicated, and achieve your goals, you too can establish a prosperous career without the need of a tertiary qualification.

Where to find jobs with just a Matric certificate

If you have a NSC certificate and little to no working experience, there are many jobs you will be able to apply for. Most online job portals have positions advertised for students, including:

** TIPS & ARTICLES **
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the Public vs Private Higher Education Institutions and which to choose.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.

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