Qualifications v skills: Is one just paper, the other the real deal?

Many say that a degree is overrated. But, while skills should get their due, let’s not undermine the value of higher education.

While skills are increasingly getting their due, we cannot simply consign higher education to the dustbin. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH
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Years ago, armed with an honours degree in sociology, I (the first author) joined a company providing air cargo services at our busy international airport. Having zero knowledge of what the job scope entailed did not deter me.

In fact, I chose a cargo operations role, instead of the comfort of sitting in an office writing reports, updating procedures, and responding to customer complaints. This meant that I had to learn the technical knowledge and operational requirements quickly on the job.

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