Adult education and training centres, known as Public Adult Learning Centres were managed by the Department of Basic Education until 31st March 2015. On the 1st April 2015, Public Adult Learning Centres were transferred to the Department of Higher Education and Training and changed to Community Learning Centres (CLCs). The educators were not trained, coached or prepared for the transition. This inquiry explores transition through management change: the experiences of Community Learning Centre educators from basic education to Higher Education. This study was conducted by employing the qualitative approach using an interpretive paradigm and multiple case study design. Kurt Lewin’s (1951) three stage theory was used as theoretical framework to assist me in bringing theory and practice together to understand the educators’ experiences from their individual meaning and understanding of the transition. The data collection strategies, namely, in-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews with educators and centre managers were employed. Document analysis was also used to probe the opinions and views of the educators and centre managers. The sample comprised multiple case studies of four CLCs in the Tshwane South District. The main purpose of the study was to find out how educators and centre managers of CLCs understand, respond and manage the transitioning through management change from the Department of Basic Education to the Department of Higher Education and Training and to highlight the views and opinions of educators and centre managers regarding the transition. The study attempted to further assist educators, centre managers, Community Education and Training College principal and the Department of Higher Education and Training to effectively implement and manage the implemented change or transition under study as well as any transition that may be effected in future. The study found that educators and centre managers are battling to deal with the transitioning through management change in Community Learning Centres. Educators and centre managers are confused, depressed and fear the loss of their jobs due to the introduction of hard skills learning areas as they are not trained to offer those skills. In the light of the findings, the study recommends that Community Education and Training Colleges and the Department of Higher Education and Training should address and support CLCs with physical and financial resources for them to be effective and functional. Educators and centre managers’ challenges and concerns should be addressed accordingly to eliminate fears and reduce animosity amongst staff members. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Early Childhood Education / MEd / Unrestricted

Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / The main objective of the research is to analyze critically how the curriculum at a Community College in the Western Cape prepares young adults for the world of work in the fields of Travel and Tourism and Small Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) and develops their capabilities to become functioning members in society. I was guided by concepts such as knowledge and skills necessary to enhance employability as well as people‟s wellbeing and capability development. The data was gathered through interviews and analysis of national and institutional policy documents. The analysis of documents helped me to understand the curriculum‟s orientation to the world of work and its responsiveness to personal and social needs of young adults. The interview data helped me to reflect on the main research question, “What are the perspectives of academic staff, industry/sector representatives and young adults themselves on the knowledge and skills needed in the curriculum to prepare young adults for the world of work?” My research shows that the curriculum of the ABET Level 4 programme has become more vocationally oriented. It prepares students for the world of work in a general way; but there are some limitations. There is no practical work experience or work exposure as in the curricula of programmes at TVET colleges and universities. The research also found that the formal curriculum in combination with the extra-curricular activities had benefits for students in terms of personal development and equipping them to function better in their social environments. However, offering these activities depends on efforts made by lecturers over and above their normal duties and on donations from various sources. Extending or sustaining this combination of activities requires adequate staffing and resources. Finally the research highlighted various barriers students encountered and suggested that many of these barriers arise from structural constraints in the world of work and society. The research suggests that it is necessary but not sufficient to focus on the employability of young people and to equip them with knowledge and skills to prepare them for the world of work; it is also necessary to look beyond employability and consider the wellbeing of students (Powell, 2012; Jackson, 2005; Baatjes and Baatjes, 2008; Ngcwangu, 2019; Motala and Pampallis, 2007). Therefore my research suggests that education should not have a narrow focus and that the curriculum should integrate vocational and general education (Young, 1999). Furthermore, there should be a holistic approach in the curriculum which responds to multiple objectives including preparation for work and for functioning effectively in other areas of one‟s life. This implies that the curriculum should prepare students for the world of work AND take into account their well-being, dreams and aspirations for a better life.