Top 20 courses that are in demand in South Africa: Best highly paid opportunities
Learn a new skill by studying something relevant to the job market you are interested in. This article can help you find a program that can add value to your profession. Discover below short courses that are in demand in South Africa.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Short courses that are in demand in South Africa
- 1. SEO course
- 2. Project management course
- 3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) course
- 4. Digital marketing course
- 5. Cisco networking course
- 6. Accounting and bookkeeping course
- 7. Customer relationship-building course
- 8. Cryptocurrency and blockchain course
- 9. Graphic design course
- 10. Copywriting course
- 11. Beauty therapy course
- 12. Sales management course
- 13. Virtual assistant course
- 14. Data science course
- 15. Real estate course
- 16. Cybersecurity course
- 17. Hospitality and catering course
- 18. Event management course
- 19. Computer and smartphone repair course
- 20. Film production course
- What skills are most in demand by employers?
- Can short courses get you a job?
- What skills are in demand in South Africa?
- Which course is in demand in SA?
- Which medical courses are in demand in South Africa?
- Which diploma courses are in demand in South Africa?
- Which certificate courses are in demand in South Africa?
- Does NSFAS pay for short courses?
- Which course has the best job opportunities?
- Which career has the most job opportunities in South Africa?
- Are short courses good for a CV?
With unemployment soaring, many wonder if what they learned in school aligns with the job market. You do not have to worry; this article provides in-depth information about short courses that lead to careers that pay well in South Africa.
Short courses that are in demand in South Africa
Short courses are a great option to upskill your current industry or venture into a new field. These programs can help propel your career later in life. These are some of the most valuable short courses in South Africa.
1. SEO course
Source: UGC
Due to the rapid rise in technological advancement, there is a high demand for skilled SEO experts who can efficiently optimize online content.
Posting your article, videos, and images online is not enough until it reaches your target audience. You should enroll in an SEO course to acquire the right Search Engine Optimization skills.
Basic skills an SEO course teaches
Anyone can work as an SEO strategist. An SEO course teaches these skills:
- On-page SEO optimization - The process of making changes to improve the content of your pages to perform better on the search engine results pages.
- Off-page SEO optimization - The process of employing the tactics off of your domain that improve your website's organic search rankings.
- Link building - Identifying high-quality link opportunities, creating compelling content for other websites to link to yours, and using tools like outreach software to communicate efficiently with web admins.
2. Project management course
Source: UGC
Individuals involved in a business's daily operations should take a project management course. The program will teach them the necessary skills to complete internal, administrative, and functional projects successfully.
Basic skills a project manager expert needs
These are the basic skills you get from a project management course:
- Leadership and management skills - You should be able to coach, guide, and motivate your co-workers to ensure a project's progress.
- Planning and coordinating - You should be able to change priorities, identify risks and inaccuracies, and discover undefined goals throughout a project's cycle.
- Customer service skills - Delivering a project on time and within budget and scope does not guarantee satisfaction with the customer. You must approach each project from the perspective of meeting stakeholders' needs.
3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) course
Source: UGC
There is a great need for occupational health and safety professionals in South Africa's health care, mining, construction, and manufacturing industries. Companies hire these professionals to help keep their workers safe. If you want a well-paying job, consider doing an OHS course at UCT.
Basic skills an OHS course teaches
An OHS course can help you gain these essential skills:
- Problem-solving skills - You will be able to recognize and assess risks workers might face at work and offer practical solutions
- Analytical skills - You will be able to collect and examine data and create reports that can help a company implement constructive solutions to protect workers from harm.
- Communication skills - You will learn to communicate your ideas concisely, professionally, and directly.
4. Digital marketing course
Source: UGC
Marketers play a key role in sustaining sales and revenues in every business. A digital marketing course teaches you how to use the internet to reach a wider audience and generate more revenue.
Basic skills a digital marketing course teaches
These are some of the skills you will gain from a digital marketing course:
- Content writing and blogging
- Social media marketing
- Search engine marketing
- Inbound marketing
- Email marketing
- Online reputation management
- Web analytics
5. Cisco networking course
Source: UGC
A CCNA course (Cisco Certified Network Associate) suits those wishing to start an entry-level network engineer career. You can also do it as a part-time course if you already work in the IT industry and want to enhance your career prospects.
Basic skills a CCNA course teaches
IT people stand out after learning these skills from Cisco networking courses:
- How to install and configure Cisco networks.
- How to troubleshoot connectivity issues and manage Cisco networks.
- How to configure routing for different IP versions and describe the purpose of redundancy protocols.
- How to identify key elements of a security program, like user awareness and training, and set up secure access to devices and networks.
6. Accounting and bookkeeping course
Source: UGC
An accounting and bookkeeping course will improve your money management skills. It helps you know how to track incomes and expenditures.
The course is highly marketable and pays well. It is also one of the best courses to study in South Africa as an individual or finance professional (accountants, bookkeepers, financial clerks, etc.).
Basic skills an accounting and bookkeeping course teaches
Some essential skills you will learn in this course include:
- How to record financial transactions.
- How to prepare and analyze financial statements.
- How to manage payrolls.
- How to control inventory
- How to minimize financial wastage through cost and management accounting.
- How to use accounting and bookkeeping software programs.
- How to prepare tax documents and advise clients on taxation matters.
7. Customer relationship-building course
Source: UGC
Maintaining good customer relationships helps you get loyal customers. In return, your business grows when customers convince others to buy from you.
Complete a customer relationship-building course and learn how to build and manage positive relationships with your customers.
Basic skills a customer relationship-building course teaches
You need the necessary skills to handle your customers. Here are some skills you will learn from a customer relationship-building course:
- How to solve complaints from customers
- How to measure customer satisfaction.
- How to improve customer service.
- How to deal with stress when handling customer complaints.
8. Cryptocurrency and blockchain course
Source: UGC
Cryptocurrency and blockchain are among the most in-demand short courses in SA. These technologies will reform the future, ending traditional money exchange modes.
Basic skills a cryptocurrency and blockchain course teaches
The cryptocurrency and blockchain programs will impart you with these skills:
- Blockchain architecture - How to design, develop, test, monitor, and maintain a blockchain network and consensus protocols.
- Data structures - How to decentralize and distribute ledgers in a blockchain.
- Cryptography - How to ensure security and policy compliance in an entire blockchain network.
- Smart contracts architecture - How to design and develop smart contracts.
9. Graphic design course
Source: UGC
If you enjoy creative work, a graphic design course is one of the best short courses in South Africa. The program leads to an exciting professional field where you can explore art daily.
Basic skills a graphic design course teaches
These are the essential skills a graphic design course teaches:
- How to create images and layouts for company branding (logos, typography, and color palettes), user interfaces on apps and websites, publications (books, magazines, newspapers, and other publications), product packages, advertisements and commercials, signage (for stores, transportation, stadiums, and event spaces), and video games.
- How to choose proper graphics, fonts, photos, and colors for specific layouts (e.g., advertisements, brochures, magazines, and reports).
- How to use Computer-aided design (CAD) software to create complex two- and three-dimensional designs.
- How to pitch design ideas to clients.
10. Copywriting course
Source: UGC
Online businesses need people to write copywriters for product descriptions, landing pages, subscription pages, blogs, articles, and e-newsletters. As a result, a copywriting course is among the high-demand short programs that pay well in South Africa.
Basic skills a copywriting course teaches
A copywriting course teaches the following skills:
- Techniques for generating relevant advertising ideas.
- Writing skills that are needed to become an effective communicator.
- How to write in context with images and layout hierarchy.
- How to write with empathy to connect with consumers
- The skills needed to write for different media channels, such as video (TV) scripts, posters (print ads), digital elements, and more.
11. Beauty therapy course
Source: UGC
Women and men want to look their best from head to toe. As a result, the beauty therapy industry is thriving, creating more jobs in this sector.
Basic skills a beauty therapy course teaches
Studying a course in beauty therapy enables you to acquire these skills:
- Proficiency in spa treatments.
- Proficiency in facial and body treatments.
- Proficiency in hair removal.
- Proficiency in makeup application.
- Proficiency in Intense Pulsed Light, a non-invasive treatment for hair removal and skin rejuvenation.
- Maintaining organization, cleanliness, and professionalism in treatment rooms.
12. Sales management course
Source: UGC
Sales management is a highly competitive career. In sales management, the person helps a business increase sales and profits while reducing costs. The main role is to develop and implement strategies to generate sales and achieve organizational goals.
Basic skills a sales management course teaches
- You will learn these skills from a sales management course:
- How to set sales targets and make the budget work.
- How to dominate a sales territory.
- How to evaluate sales performance.
- How to set prices and other general business issues.
- How to recruit, train, and appraise salespeople.
- How to lead and motivate your sales team to their full potential.
13. Virtual assistant course
Source: UGC
A virtual assistant provides office support services. In contemporary South Africa, influential people and corporations require personal assistants who can work remotely.
Basic skills virtual assistant course teaches
Virtual assistant is one of the most lucrative remote jobs in South Africa. To become one, here are some skills you will learn from a virtual assistant course:
- How to manage contact lists and organize your boss' calendar.
- How to organize meetings, schedule appointments, make travel arrangements, and arrange for accommodations.
- How to prepare presentations.
- How to organize communication (i.e., manage emails and phone calls).
- How to create and review customer spreadsheets and keep online records.
- How to conduct market research and report on the results.
- How to help employees with their administrative queries.
- How to use modern technology like desktop sharing, cloud services, and VoIP.
14. Data science course
Source: UGC
Data science has become increasingly popular in South Africa. You can take short courses in data science to upgrade your IT career.
Basic skills a data science course teaches
As an aspiring data scientist, this course will teach you:
- How to find, clean, and organize data for analysis.
- How to analyze data and make reports (diagrams, graphs, and charts).
- How to present your reports to represent trends and predictions.
- How to build algorithms and models with data to support programs for machine learning.
15. Real estate course
Source: UGC
A real estate agent performs various administrative, investigative, and marketing tasks. Anyone wishing to work as a realtor or property developer might benefit from a real estate education. Many institutions offer affordable real estate courses in South Africa.
Basic skills a real estate course teaches
Enrol in online real estate courses and gain these skills:
- How to represent a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction.
- How to guide a buyer through the mortgage process.
- How to complete paperwork for a buyer or seller.
- Your administrative duties (e.g., scheduling appointments and home showings, writing and updating property listings, and drafting and filing contracts and other documents).
- How to value properties and research the property prices, market trends, rental rates, vacancy rates, mortgage rates, etc.
- How to build networks for career advancement (e.g., networking with community leaders, builders, investors, contractors, mortgage professionals, home inspectors, appraisers, property managers, insurance agents, and tax advisors).
- How to build your online presence.
- How to build customer relationships.
16. Cybersecurity course
Source: UGC
Cybersecurity professionals protect networks, systems, and software from cyberattacks and ensure the security of private information and data within the system.
Basic skills a cybersecurity course teaches
A cybersecurity course will teach you:
- How to install and operate firewalls, encryption programs, and other security software.
- How to monitor network traffic for security incidents and events.
- How to investigate incidents and respond to events in real-time.
- How to fix vulnerabilities that can lead to cyberattacks in networks, systems, and software.
- How to develop and promote best practices for information security.
- How to perform periodic risk assessments and cyberattack tests.
- How to write detailed incident response reports.
- How to conduct threat research.
17. Hospitality and catering course
Source: UGC
The course provides a solid foundation in hotel management and prepares graduates for entry-level positions in the hospitality and tourism industry.
Basic skills a hospitality and catering course teaches
A hospitality and catering course will teach you about:
- Event planning and management.
- Nutrition and menu planning
- How to serve food and beverages.
- How to offer housekeeping, restaurant, and bar services.
- Sanitation and safety.
- How to manage guest relations.
- Entrepreneurship and business skills.
18. Event management course
Source: UGC
To get ahead in the event management industry in South Africa, you need to acquire the right skills from the right course. Several schools in South Africa offer event management courses.
Basic skills an event management course teaches
These are the skills the course teaches to enable you to organize and advertise promotional, business, and social events:
- How to get venues, suppliers, speakers, and entertainers and negotiate their contracts.
- How to create post-event surveys and analyze the data you collect.
- How to arrange transport and cleaning services
- Creating gift bags and other promotional items.
19. Computer and smartphone repair course
Source: UGC
There are many job options for computer and mobile phone repair technicians as they can work for different brands. You can also employ yourself and make enough money to support your lifestyle.
Short courses like CompTIA A+ Certification, SolarWinds Certified Professional, Microsoft (MCSE, MCITP, MCTS), Apple (ACSP, ACTC), Wireshark WCNA, and Cisco CCIE are the best for you.
Basic skills a computer and smartphone repair course teaches
You can gain these skills from computer and smartphone repair courses:
- How to test, diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair hardware for smartphones, tablets, computers, and laptops.
- How to test, diagnose, troubleshoot, and update software.
- How to recover data for different software programs.
- How to estimate repair and replacement prices for the customer.
- How to receive stock, organize and manage inventory.
20. Film production course
Source: UGC
Film production is for those who are passionate about working in the industry as producers, directors, cinematographers, editors, or other similar roles.
Basic skills a film production course teaches
A film production course teaches these skills:
- How to develop and maintain key industry contacts.
- How to assemble the creative cast and film production team.
- How to secure funding.
- How to transition an idea to film and oversee editing, effects, and soundtrack.
- How to handle the film's marketing and publicity.
- How to distribute the film nationally and internationally.
What skills are most in demand by employers?
Employers today are looking for workers with these essential skills:
- Technical skills - You should know how to use most of the latest technology in the industry you plan to work in. Being skilled in specific programming languages is essential for software development roles. Also, learn about cloud computing, data analytics, and AI to gain a competitive advantage in the job market.
- Analytical thinking skills -You need to analyze data to understand what has gone wrong and why. This skill will help you prioritize tasks effectively for individual clients.
- Adaptability skills - You need new strategies to deal with the constant changes happening in your industry.
- Excellent communication skills - You should speak confidently in meetings, relay complex ideas, and develop compelling case studies to land clients.
- People skills - You must build relationships that can further your career in the industry.
Source: UGC
Can short courses get you a job?
Short courses help you get a job by equipping you with skills employers highly value. Also, the skills can help you open and run a business and become an entrepreneur.
What skills are in demand in South Africa?
Many people prefer remote jobs that pay better than traditional office jobs. Online courses that are in demand in South Africa include:
- Affiliate marketing courses
- Blogging courses
- Virtual assistant courses
- Graphic design courses
- Video animation courses
- Data entry courses
- Copywriting courses
- Internet security courses
- Software engineering courses
- Digital marketing courses
Which course is in demand in SA?
Courses in information technology, healthcare, and business can land you jobs that will be in demand in the next five years in South Africa.
Source: UGC
Which medical courses are in demand in South Africa?
Medical courses that are in demand in South Africa include:
- Physiotherapy
- Nursing
- Dentistry
- Medical research
- Health administration
- Pharmacy
- Radiology
- Speech-language pathology
- Forensic science
- Physiology
- Surgery
- Anesthesiology
Which diploma courses are in demand in South Africa?
Diploma courses that are in demand in South Africa include:
- Diploma in Accountancy.
- Diploma in Architecture.
- Diploma in Business Information Technology.
- Diploma in Business Administration.
- Diploma in Human Resource Management.
- Diploma in Project Management.
Which certificate courses are in demand in South Africa?
Certificate courses that are in demand in South Africa include:
- Virtual Assistance
- Customer Service Consultant
- Digital Marketing
- Caregiver Training
- Office Administration
- Call Centre Agent
- Occupational Health and Safety
Source: UGC
Does NSFAS pay for short courses?
NSFAS does not fund short courses, including those offered by universities. Nonetheless, NSFAS funds diploma and undergraduate degree students in universities and colleges.
Which course has the best job opportunities?
To land a well-paying job in South Africa, pursue a business, education, information technology, or healthcare course.
Which career has the most job opportunities in South Africa?
South Africa has many job opportunities in the information technology, business and finance, healthcare, and education sectors.
Are short courses good for a CV?
Short courses can sparkle your CV and be a game changer in your career. Some free short courses that are in demand in South Africa include:
- Clinical research course
- Social media marketing course
- Intellectual disability course
- Health and safety course
- Climate change mitigation course
Short courses that are in demand in South Africa can help you get jobs that pay well. If you put in dedication and effort, the jobs these courses can land you might pay you better than your current job.
Briefly.co.za listed work-from-home jobs for mothers in South Africa. The desire to work while being available for children can lead to the search for an online job that balances a working parent's schedule with their family's financial needs.
Looking for stay-at-home jobs for moms can be an excellent way to balance responsibilities at home and work. A good part-time job for a stay-at-home mom is flexible enough to work around your schedule.
Source: Briefly News
Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Bennett Yates (Lifestyle writer) Bennett Yates is a content creator with over five years of working experience in journalism and copywriting. He graduated from the University of Nairobi (2017) with a Bachelor's in Information Technology. In 2023, Bennett finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. He started working for Briefly in 2019. You can reach him via email at bennetyates@gmail.com.
