Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATlON in the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY of the UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND, 1999. / • To pursue a study pertaining to the educational needs of employees and the needs of their spouses at certain private companies. • To institute certain guidelines, based on the findings of both a literature study and structured interviews, for private companies to realize the educational needs of their employees and their spouses. A basic point of departure is that companies have an educational responsibility towards their employees. Employee education is a universal phenomenon that is valid for all employees. During this study it was found that certain companies acknowledge the need for educating their employees, which they regard as an investment in human capital. Because the company is engaged in the advancement and development of its employees, the spouses and children are not left behind in the development and advancement process. It has become the responsibility of employers to improve human resources because they are future assets of the company. Employees are engaged in empowerment programmes which uplift the labour force with job-related skills as well as life skills. Labour relations in South African companies have greatly improved due to the employers' acceptance of labour rights. The acceptance of labour rights in companies harmonises the relationships between employers and employees. Productivity becomes the joint effort of the employers and employees. Employers' expectations are determined by employees' educational expectations. Employees are in dire need of educational expertise, and on the other hand employers expect a high rate of productivity. Whilst employees' educational needs are visualized by responsible employers, others have been found to be inadequate in designing educational programmes to uplift and inculcate job know-how to serve the employees, educational needs. Employee empowerment programmes are needed to advance job related skills, but are inadequate as empowerment programmes need to address illiteracy, numeracy and financial assistance. The review of the literature has emphasised the importance of the employees' skills education, employees' empowerment and life skills programmes, and role of an employers' educational responsibility in treating and preventing illiteracy and numeracy. The literature studied and interviews conducted have shown that not all employers have responsibility for the education of their employees, their spouses and children. Education of the labour force, their spouses and children involving lay people in running the company programmes and the development of better services in the company, are discussed as ways and means of preventing illiteracy and numeracy. In the light of the findings of this research, the following was recommended: • That educational programmes directed at employees, their spouses and children are essential for the prevention of illiteracy and numeracy, and should be implemented. • That employees' training programmes with regard to job skills and life skills are needed and should be made available • That financial assistance from private companies should be made available for the education of the children of employees.