They have grown up with smartphones, constant connectivity and rapid technological change. As the Class of 2025 prepares to enter the workforce, they are stepping into a job market reshaped by digital recruitment, automation and AI-assisted hiring tools.
With the 2025 matric pass rate improving slightly to 88%, more young South Africans are expected to seek their first job opportunities in this new environment.
While this larger pool of candidates signals progress, it also places increased responsibility on employers to verify qualifications and backgrounds, ensuring hiring decisions remain fair, consistent and based on trusted information.
The first cohort in a new hiring era
The Class of 2025 is entering a labour market still marked by youth unemployment above 40% and a growing number of first-time job seekers with no formal work experience. At the same time, employers are turning to digital recruitment platforms and AI-driven screening tools to manage application volumes and expedite hiring.
This shift raises a key question for employers: how to identify genuine potential while protecting their organisations without unfairly excluding young people entering the workforce for the first time.
Beyond the paper certificate
A matric certificate remains a critical milestone. It marks the transition from school to adulthood and reflects years of effort and commitment. But on its own, it does not always provide the full picture.
Education and labour authorities have repeatedly warned about fake certificates and misrepresented qualifications, with reports of forged documents circulating on social media and messaging platforms.
“Employers want to give young people a fair chance, but they also need to protect their organisations, customers and teams,” says Jennifer Barkhuizen, Head of Marketing at Mettus, a collective of data and analytics businesses that includes Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE). “Verification confirms that a matric certificate is genuine, but it also helps employers understand the broader picture of a candidate’s integrity and readiness for work.”
Verification for a digital, mobile workforce
As recruitment becomes increasingly digital and remote, the need for reliable verification has grown. Employers are now screening candidates who may never visit a head office, apply from another province or present qualifications obtained outside South Africa.
Digital verification platforms and global screening tools enable employers to verify candidates’ identities, even when the entire recruitment process is conducted online. This is becoming essential in a mobile, connected workforce increasingly shaped by AI-driven processes.
A fairer start for first-time job seekers
Youth unemployment remains one of South Africa’s most pressing socio-economic challenges. Nearly half of young people seeking work cannot find a job, and many matriculants are applying for their first role.
“Responsible verification is not about adding barriers for young people,” Barkhuizen says. “It helps employers identify candidates who have earned their certificates, are honest about their history and are ready to grow. That protects businesses, but it also protects young South Africans who have done the hard work and deserve a fair chance.”
As the first AI generation enters the workforce, trust, integrity, and verified information will play an increasingly important role. With the right verification practices in place, businesses can welcome new talent with confidence, while young people can step into the job market knowing their genuine achievements will be recognised.
