As unemployment in South Africa jumped to 27.2% for Q2 2018, the proverbial walls seem to be closing in on job seekers.<\/p>\n
This is according to new research by Mananaged Integrity Evaluation (MIE) which specialises in background screening in South Africa.<\/p>\n
MIE’s research shows that misrepresentation and fraud of qualifications remain high and that a candidate\u2019s qualifications are the most likely aspect to contain discrepancies – when compared to other background screening checks.<\/p>\n
“When undertaking background checks of candidates on behalf of a client, in some cases we have found that a candidate has misrepresented their credentials because they feel they are one or a few credits shy of obtaining their qualification,” said Michelle Baron-Williamson, CEO of MIE.<\/p>\n
“However, we have also had cases where candidates have intentionally lied about having qualifications that they don\u2019t \u2013 or have bought their (fake) qualifications online,\u201d said Michelle Baron-Williamson, CEO of Managed Integrity Evaluation (MIE).<\/p>\n
Dubbed ‘degree mills’, the rapidly growing global phenomenon of online trading in fake degrees means that thousands of dishonest candidates may be competing for the same available jobs and adversely affecting opportunities for appropriately qualified candidates \u2013 from nurses to pilots, accountants, auditors, lawyers, and even doctors etc, Baron-Williamson said.<\/p>\n
She added that when a qualification is verified as fraudulent, it is the responsibility of the hiring organisation or higher education institution to report the candidate. This can result in the candidate being prevented from obtaining their qualification from that institution \u2013 as the institution retains the legal right to revoke the qualification.<\/p>\n
“This can be equated to being listed as a bad creditor \u2013 as the likelihood of other Higher Education institutions assisting the student in completing their qualification is low and hiring organisations likely won\u2019t look favourably on the student or candidate\u2019s actions, as the perception is that they misrepresented themselves in bad faith,” said Baron-Williamson.<\/p>\n
“Even in less severe cases, where a student may be a credit or so shy of earnestly obtaining their qualification, and they apologise to the hiring organisation they are applying to for a job and the Higher Education institution, they could still face very severe consequences by not being allowed to complete their qualification through the institution they are currently studying at.”<\/p>\n
However, she noted that this is still a good potential outcome.<\/p>\n
“One thing that all students, graduates and job candidates must understand is that to wilfully lie about having a qualification, by presenting a fake qualification bought online, is fraud. If found guilty, a candidate could face serious charges. Having a criminal record could make finding employment even more difficult.”<\/p>\n
New laws<\/strong><\/p>\n The fake degree phenomenon in the country has hit the national agenda and the South African Government is pushing for a hard stance to crackdown on the fraudsters with the National Qualifications Framework Bill, as presented to the higher education oversight committee in parliament earlier this month.<\/p>\n The proposed bill will make it compulsory for all employers \u2013 in public and private sector \u2013 as well as independent background screening companies to report people with fake qualifications.<\/p>\n It will also enable and authorise the national authority to create and continuously update the registers for all misrepresented qualifications and fraudulent qualifications – which could lead to a person having a permanent record on the register.<\/p>\n “Too often we unfortunately see cases where a candidate doesn\u2019t understand the seriousness of these actions, or the legal trouble they will find themselves in, until it is too late. Misrepresenting or producing fake qualifications is not a victimless crime,” said\u00a0Baron-Williamson.<\/p>\n “We as such advocate that students, graduates, job seekers and candidates are always honest about their qualifications \u2013 to ensure that they don\u2019t fall victim to a bad decision that could potentially hinder them professionally, for the rest of their lives.”<\/p>\n
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