Q1 2026
VUKA.
Section 10 · The Pathway Map

From school to job — graded honestly

Each pathway is mapped against employment probability, time investment, salary range and outlook to 2030. Green, yellow, red — based on verified outcomes data.

GO
15

High-confidence pathways

75–95% employment probability. Critical national skills demand.

CAREFUL
8

Plan-required pathways

Specialisation, internships and digital skills decide outcomes.

RISKY
6

Caution pathways

Weakest employment outcomes — enter only with eyes open and a clear plan.

Filter
ICT · NQF 7–8

AI / Machine Learning Engineer

GO

BSc Computer Science / Data Science → Specialisation

Duration
3–5 yrs
Probability
>85%
Salary entry
R700K–R1M+
Peak salary
R1.5M+
Demand
🟢 Explosive
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Explosive
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Science
Critical Skills List
YES — ICT Specialists
Recommended institutions
UCT, Wits, UP, SU
ICT · NQF 7–8

Data Scientist / Data Analyst

GO

BSc Statistics / CS / Engineering + Python

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
>80%
Salary entry
R364K–R470K
Peak salary
R900K+
Demand
🟠 Very High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Explosive
Matric subjects
Pure Maths essential
Critical Skills List
YES — ICT Specialists
Recommended institutions
Traditional & tech universities; bootcamps
Finance · NQF 7 + ASSA

Actuary

GO

BSc Actuarial Science → ASSA Professional Exams

Duration
6–10 yrs
Probability
>90%
Salary entry
R470K+
Peak salary
R1.5M+
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Highest salary
Matric subjects
Top Pure Maths
Critical Skills List
YES — Actuarial Scientists
Recommended institutions
UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch
ICT · NQF 7

Software Engineer

GO

BSc CS / BEng Software / Coding Bootcamp

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
>82%
Salary entry
R360K–R756K
Peak salary
R900K+
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Explosive
Matric subjects
Pure Maths preferred
Critical Skills List
YES — ICT Specialists
Recommended institutions
All universities; reputable bootcamps
Engineering · NQF 8

Civil Engineer

GO

BEng Civil → ECSA registration

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
>88%
Salary entry
R350K–R500K
Peak salary
R700K+
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Critical Need
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Physics
Critical Skills List
YES — Engineers
Recommended institutions
TUT, UCT, Wits, UP, SU, NWU
Engineering · NQF 8

Electrical Engineer

GO

BEng Electrical → ECSA registration

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
>88%
Salary entry
R350K–R560K
Peak salary
R800K+
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Critical Need
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Physics
Critical Skills List
YES — Engineers
Recommended institutions
TUT, Wits, UP, UCT, UJ
Engineering · NQF 8

Mechanical Engineer

GO

BEng Mechanical → ECSA registration

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
>88%
Salary entry
R350K–R520K
Peak salary
R750K+
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Critical Need
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Physics
Critical Skills List
YES — Engineers
Recommended institutions
TUT, UCT, Wits, Stellenbosch, UP
Health · NQF 8

Doctor (General Practitioner)

GO

MBChB (6yr) → Community Service (1yr)

Duration
7 yrs
Probability
>95%
Salary entry
R324K (community)
Peak salary
R1.2M+ (specialist)
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Chronic Shortage
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Life Science
Critical Skills List
YES — Medical Practitioners
Recommended institutions
UCT, Wits, UP, UKZN, SMU
Finance · NQF 8

Chartered Accountant CA(SA)

GO

BCom Acc (3) → PGDA (1) → SAICA Articles (3)

Duration
7 yrs
Probability
>85%
Salary entry
R300K–R420K
Peak salary
R700K+ (CFO)
Demand
🔵 High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★ High
Matric subjects
Pure Maths preferred
Critical Skills List
YES — Financial Professionals
Recommended institutions
UNISA, UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch
ICT · NQF 7–8

Cybersecurity Specialist

GO

BSc IT/CS + CISSP/CEH certifications

Duration
3–5 yrs
Probability
>80%
Salary entry
R350K–R600K
Peak salary
R900K+
Demand
🟠 Very High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Explosive
Matric subjects
Pure Maths preferred
Critical Skills List
YES — ICT Specialists
Recommended institutions
All universities + cert path
Trades / TVET · NQF 4–5

Electrical Artisan / Electrician (TVET)

GO

N3–N6 TVET Electrical → Trade Test (QCTO)

Duration
4–5 yrs
Probability
>75%
Salary entry
R180K–R350K
Peak salary
R420K+ (own business)
Demand
🔴 Critical Shortage
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Steepest 2025 increase
Matric subjects
Grade 10–Matric + Maths
Critical Skills List
YES — Artisans
Recommended institutions
50 public TVET colleges
Health · NQF 6–7

Registered Nurse

GO

Diploma Nursing (3yr) or BCur (4yr) → SANC

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
>80%
Salary entry
R180K–R240K
Peak salary
R360K+ (senior)
Demand
🔵 High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★ Chronic Shortage
Matric subjects
Life Sciences
Critical Skills List
YES — Nurses
Recommended institutions
Nursing colleges; UWC, UP, Wits, UKZN
Engineering · NQF 8

Renewable Energy Engineer

GO

BEng Electrical/Mechanical → RE specialisation / PV cert

Duration
4–5 yrs
Probability
>80%
Salary entry
R240K–R480K
Peak salary
R700K+ (project mgr)
Demand
🔴 Critical Now
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★★ Highest Growth
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Physics
Critical Skills List
YES — RE Engineers
Recommended institutions
TUT, UCT, Wits; RE post-grad
Engineering · NQF 8

Industrial Engineer

GO

BEng Industrial → ECSA

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
>85%
Salary entry
R350K–R450K
Peak salary
R700K+
Demand
🔵 High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★ High
Matric subjects
Pure Maths + Science
Critical Skills List
YES — Engineers
Recommended institutions
UP, Wits, Stellenbosch, TUT
Built Environment · NQF 7–8

Quantity Surveyor

GO

BSc/BQuantSurveying → ASAQS registration

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
>80%
Salary entry
R280K–R420K
Peak salary
R600K+
Demand
🔵 High
Risk
✅ Low
Outlook
★★★★ High
Matric subjects
Maths (Pure preferred)
Critical Skills List
YES — QS listed
Recommended institutions
UCT, UKZN, TUT, NMU, UP
Business · NQF 7

BCom Business (general)

CAREFUL

BCom (3yr) — must specialise (Finance, Supply Chain, Analytics)

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~75%
Salary entry
R200K–R300K
Peak salary
R500K+
Demand
🟡 Moderate
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★ Moderate (needs spec.)
Matric subjects
Maths (Lit. acceptable)
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Any accredited university; specialisation critical

⚠ Specialise (Supply Chain, Analytics, FinTech) or face oversupply

Law · NQF 8

Attorney / Advocate

CAREFUL

LLB (4yr) → Candidate Attorney (2yr) → Admission

Duration
6–8 yrs
Probability
~78%
Salary entry
R120K–R250K
Peak salary
R700K+ (partner)
Demand
🟡 Moderate
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★ Moderate
Matric subjects
NO (Maths helpful)
Critical Skills List
NO (some IP/patent)
Recommended institutions
UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch

⚠ Top universities + commercial law required

Education · NQF 7

Teacher (STEM subjects)

CAREFUL

BEd / PGCE → SACE registration

Duration
4–5 yrs
Probability
~85%
Salary entry
R200K–R350K
Peak salary
R380K+ (HOD/principal)
Demand
🔵 High
Risk
Low–Medium
Outlook
★★★★ High for STEM
Matric subjects
Pure Maths if STEM teacher
Critical Skills List
YES — Teachers (SET)
Recommended institutions
All universities; NSFAS funded

⚠ Govt-dependent; NSFAS funded

Business · NQF 7

Supply Chain / Logistics Manager

CAREFUL

BCom Supply Chain / Logistics (3yr)

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~78%
Salary entry
R200K–R350K
Peak salary
R550K+
Demand
🟢 Growing
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★★ Growing
Matric subjects
Maths recommended
Critical Skills List
YES — Supply Chain
Recommended institutions
UNISA, NMU, UJ, TUT
Marketing · NQF 7

Digital Marketer

CAREFUL

BCom Marketing / Comms + Google/Meta cert

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~72%
Salary entry
R150K–R250K
Peak salary
R400K+
Demand
🟢 Growing
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★ Growing
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Any university + Google/Meta cert

⚠ Digital + analytics skills decide outcome

HR · NQF 7

HR Practitioner

CAREFUL

BCom HR / Industrial Psychology

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~70%
Salary entry
R180K–R280K
Peak salary
R480K+
Demand
⚪ Stable
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★ Stable
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
YES — HR Advisors
Recommended institutions
UNISA, UJ, NWU, UP
Finance · NQF 7–8

Financial Planner / Wealth Manager

CAREFUL

BCom Finance + CFP certification

Duration
4–6 yrs
Probability
~78%
Salary entry
R180K–R320K
Peak salary
R700K+
Demand
🟢 Growing
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★ Growing
Matric subjects
Pure Maths preferred
Critical Skills List
YES — Financial Advisors
Recommended institutions
UNISA, UP, Wits, UJ
Science · NQF 7–8

Environmental Scientist

CAREFUL

BSc Environmental Science → Honours

Duration
4–5 yrs
Probability
~75%
Salary entry
R200K–R350K
Peak salary
R500K+
Demand
🟢 Growing
Risk
⚠️ Medium
Outlook
★★★★ Growing
Matric subjects
YES (Life/Physical Sci)
Critical Skills List
YES — Environmental Sci
Recommended institutions
UCT, Stellenbosch, UNISA, UKZN
Humanities · NQF 7

General BA Humanities

RISKY

BA (3yr) — oversupplied; no clear demand

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
73.9%
Salary entry
R120K–R180K
Peak salary
R250K (with Honours)
Demand
🔴 Low Demand
Risk
❌ High
Outlook
★★ Declining
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Pair with education/digital/data skills

⚠ Pair with education/digital/data skills

Public Admin · NQF 7

Public Administration / Management

RISKY

BCom / BAdmin (3yr) — govt hiring freeze

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~65%
Salary entry
R120K–R180K
Peak salary
R300K+ (senior govt)
Demand
🔴 Weak
Risk
❌ Very High
Outlook
★★ Govt dependent
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Add postgrad policy / consulting pivot

⚠ Add postgrad policy / consulting pivot

Social Services · NQF 7

Social Work

RISKY

BSW (4yr) → SACSSP registration

Duration
4 yrs
Probability
~70%
Salary entry
R120K–R200K
Peak salary
R280K (senior)
Demand
⚪ Stable
Risk
❌ High
Outlook
★★★ Budget-limited
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
NGO sector / international orgs only

⚠ NGO sector / international orgs only

Humanities · NQF 7

Political Science (standalone)

RISKY

BA Politics (3yr) — no direct employer pipeline

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~60–65%
Salary entry
R120K–R150K
Peak salary
R250K (with LLB/postgrad)
Demand
🔴 Low Demand
Risk
❌ Very High
Outlook
★ Very limited
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Pair with law / journalism / policy postgrad

⚠ Pair with law / journalism / policy postgrad

Media · NQF 7

Journalism / Traditional Media

RISKY

BA Journalism (3yr) — sector contracting

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~65%
Salary entry
R120K–R200K
Peak salary
R300K (digital pivot)
Demand
🔴 Weak
Risk
❌ High
Outlook
★★ Declining traditional
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Digital content + multi-platform skills essential

⚠ Digital content + multi-platform skills essential

Social Science · NQF 7

General BA Social Sciences

RISKY

BA Social Sciences (3yr)

Duration
3–4 yrs
Probability
~65–70%
Salary entry
R120K–R180K
Peak salary
R280K (with Honours)
Demand
🔴 Low Demand
Risk
❌ High
Outlook
★★ Low signal
Matric subjects
NO
Critical Skills List
NO
Recommended institutions
Honours required; add coding/data literacy

⚠ Honours required; add coding/data literacy

Source: SAGEA 2025 · DHET 2023 · GTAC · Xpatweb 2025 · Stats SA QLFS · BDO Renewables 2025