In the current economic climate jobs are scarce and competition is rife, getting your matric certificate may be the thing that sets you apart from the crowd.

As adults, it’s a lot harder to pursue studies, especially amidst the hustle and bustle of work and family life, but in the long run, those sacrifices may very well be worth it.

Marketing and student support at the Oxbridge Academy Sunette Nel says employers are placing more value on Matric certificates and obtaining that certificate will put you on a footing to study further and get the job you actually want.

“It’s when you want to start articulating or applying for those promotions is when people tend to get stuck, so in my personal opinion if you do have the opportunity to obtain that matric certificate, go for it because employers are still putting a lot of value on it.”

While a matric certificate is the goal for some, for others it is a mere steppingstone in climbing the corporate ladder or may even assist in opening up a different career path for someone who feels its time for a change.

According to Nel the adult certificate is very much the same, though there is an amendment in the curriculum – as it has changed over the years – to accommodate adults to write within the current curriculum.

“So in essence you get the exact same qualification, it is also issued by the department of education, the only difference is, you need to pass six subjects, the requirement basically stays the same for any child at school. But to enter there’s an age difference, and it’s also what grade you left school in, those are the most important things,” says Nel.

Eligibility to write your matric does depend on various factors such as age and the school leaving grade but for those who do not qualify there are options, says Nel.

Obtaining your matric will cost you between R10 000 and R15 000 if completed through a tuition institute with all six subjects, but while it is not recommended it is possible to study on your own and pay the minimal exam entrance fees says Nel. She emphasises the importance of candidates ensuring they have the correct study material.

Nel also mentioned it is also possible to obtain your matric and work a full-time job, not to mention family and home responsibilities. She believes it will take anything from a year to 18months to be fully prepared to write all six subjects while juggling everything else.

Nel says weekends and leisure time will have to be sacrificed but it is most definitely doable.

Listen to the full interview here: