Matric results are in for the 2022 cohort, and a new phase of life is about to begin for the
country’s latest school-leavers. Some will step onto their chosen tertiary or vocational
pathways, but for many, the way ahead is not yet clear.
The gap year is popular way to take time out after Matric to travel, broaden one’s horizons and
consider the future from fresh perspectives. However, this may not be affordable for most
families in these tough economic times. If you’re not ready to start out on a long-term study
path this year, and travel is out of the question, what can you do that is meaningful, and that can
move you towards greater clarity about your future?
Dr Lauren Martin, the Deputy Dean of Learning & Teaching at SACAP (the South African
College of Applied Psychology) says, “What’s important is to take stock, consider your options,
reflect on your goals, strengths and interests, and then take a positive step forward in 2023. It’s
important to focus on your individual situation, and avoid comparing yourself to others. It’s not
unusual, or any way shameful for school leavers to feel uncertain about their next steps. In fact,
very few school leavers feel absolutely sure about which study path to pursue. Whether you are
disappointed with your matric results or confused about the way ahead for you, there are some
great options for building skills and gaining valuable experience that can set you on a
favourable, flexible track. What is important to remember is that your first year out of school is
the very start of your study journey. The aim is just to get out of the starting block.”
Have you considered a Higher Certificate qualification?
Short educational programs offered by tertiary institutions are becoming increasingly popular as
a bridge between leaving school and choosing a study or career path. The best of these are
typically one-year programmes offering an accredited Higher Certificate qualification that can
improve a student’s readiness for tertiary education, make up for a Matric without a bachelor’s
pass and enhance critical skills for success not just on your next study path, but in your future
work life as well.
Dr Martin says, “The strength of a solid Higher Certificate program is that it gives you a valuable
stepping-stone into the world of tertiary education. You have time to more fully consider the
direction you want to go in, and you gain insights and experiences about what is expected of
you at the tertiary level. Meanwhile you are actively building workplace skills that are valuable
across a wide range of industries. Some higher certificate programs are vocational, and can
even help you enter a field of work at a junior level. ”
A Higher Certificate program may be for you:
If you passed matric without exemption
You may have set your heart on studying for a certain degree but matric didn’t turn out how you
hoped it would and you didn’t achieve a bachelor’s pass. You can give it another go by signing
up to rewrite up to two supplementary matric exams or go the matric upgrade route. However, if
the thought of a matric ‘do-over’ sinks your spirits, then rather consider an accredited Higher
Certificate program. “Graduating from any of SACAP’s Higher Certificate programs in 2023 can
not only help you get back on track, but set you off with some important advantages,” says Dr
Martin. “You will not only meet the minimum entrance requirements for degree studies around
the country, but you will lay the foundations for good academic literacy, setting you up for
success in your further studies.”
If you don’t feel sure you will be able to succeed at university
Many school leavers might not feel confident about their ability to cope yet at a university level.
“Engaging in a Higher Certificate program will give you this year to build confidence and
empower you to continue your journey into higher education,” says Dr Martin. “Look for
institutions that offer small classes with plenty of teacher and peer contact. For instance,
SACAP has classes of no more than 25 students which are ideal for finding your feet in the
tertiary education environment and developing the confidence to engage and actively participate
in your learning.”
If your interests are broad and you are not yet ready to choose specific degree studies
SACAP’s Higher Certificate programmes are gateway to further studies in Social Sciences and
business fields. The SACAP Higher Certificates in Business Management and Human
Resources Management include industry-oriented content and applications offering not only a
bridge to further studies but also a vocational pathway into the South African business sector.
In addition, the SACAP Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills is a great
qualification for anyone who wants to develop their interpersonal skills and improve their abilities
to interact and work with others. Dr Martin says, “There are key features of this qualification that
offer invaluable knowledge and insight into human behaviour and a better understanding of
human diversity which are currently sought-after capabilities across a wide range of
workplaces.”
She concludes, “SACAP’s concise, one-year Higher Certificate programs give students a taste
for a field of study without a long-term commitment and provides them with a registered
qualification and practical skills at the end. Along with our student-centred approach, it is also a
voyage of self-discovery enabling greater awareness and understanding in relation to others as
well as a deeper relationship with self.”
Applications for SACAP’s Higher Certificate programs are now open. Please visit sacap.edu.za
to register.