It is the purpose of this thesis to give the reader a picture of the labor shortage hampering the Defense Production Program, to describe the structure and development of the corporate plan for the National Defense Training Programs conducted by the Federal Security Agency for Texas, to evaluate the effectiveness of this plan, and, in conclusion, to point out such developments as might possibly effect our general educational systems.

The study determines the effects of resilience training on team performance. An investigation was undertaken to: * establish a theoretical foundation for using resilience training to improve performance; * identify parameters and criteria for determining the effects of resilience training on the individual within the team; * gain insight on how learners experienced the resilience training; and * whether they implemented the resilience training within the workplace. This study included the review of literature on various motivational theories, resilience, psycho-education, adult learning and team performance. It also included an empirical investigation on the effects of resilience training on the individual within the team and the team performance as such. Data was collected against the main research question: What is the effect of strengths-focussed training on team performance? / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Didactics)

Research in training and development at organisations has produced important results in the previous two decades. The results indicate that higher motivation and satisfaction levels of employees are the result of training and development effectiveness with relation to work and employees’ productivity. The aim and purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of training and development in enhancing organisational productivity. The researcher wanted to determine whether training and development did in fact enhance the productivity of employees. A non-probability sampling method was employed when conducting the research. The research methods used were a combination of observations, a questionnaire, a workshop, a survey and interviews with participants. A qualitative research approach guided this process in order to accomplish the aim and purpose of the study and was based on data collection and analysis of information, documents and interviews to determine training and development for performance improvement. / Human Resources Development / NM. Tech. (Human Resources Development)

Dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Technology: Public Management, Durban University of Technology, 2012. / Access to medical care remains a challenge worldwide. It is particularly severe in developing countries and it is estimated that one million more health care workers are needed in Africa to meet the health related Millennium Development Goals. Though many countries have made significant strides in improving health service delivery by increasing their spending on health care, many health systems remain weak. The situation is no different in South Africa. Community health workers (CHW’s) are thought to be an answer to improving health care delivery. They can be trained to do specialized tasks, such as providing sexually transmitted disease counselling, directly observed therapy and act as birth attendants. Others work on specific programmes performing limited medical evaluations and treatment. With proper training, monitoring, supervision and support, CHW’s have shown to be able to achieve outcomes in terms of health care service delivery. The researcher undertook this study to investigate the perceptions of CHW’s on the training services offered by Masikhulisane (MK). A case study of Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu (INK) used a mix method approach to determine the perceptions of community health workers on the training services offered by Masikhulisane. The researcher distributed questionnaires to six groups of CHW’s in the INK area at different venues. The findings of the study are useful in making evidence-based improvements in the MK education programme that targets various sectors, including CHW’s. From the findings of this study, it was concluded that CHW’s can make a valuable contribution to improved access and coverage of communities with basic health services. It is recommended that the Masikhulisane training programme should be accredited, the Masikhulisane sectoral approach should be broadened to reach more sectors not reached before and the training content should be revisited to ensure acceptability and appropriateness for targeted sectors.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Boschmans Colliery is, as is the case in the rest of the mining industry, heavily reliant on skilled persons in the Engineering discipline to install and maintain the machinery and infrastructure required for the production of a saleable product. Historically, apprentices were recruited from the ranks of school leavers and were given a good, albeit somewhat condensed training to qualify them as artisans. Artisans on their own are however not able to accomplish the tasks at hand and are therefore assisted by artisan assistants. Artisan assistants were historically recruited from the ranks of the unskilled, and in many instances, illiterate masses and were reliant on an unstructured process of on the job training while working under the direct supervision of an artisan. Given the complexities of modern coal mining machinery, the high cost of labour and training, the inherent dangers associated with the mining process and the requirements of the legislative framework, the current approach whereby all the Engineering skills are concentrated in a select few is no longer acceptable. The current system of apprentice training shortcomings are highlighted and a new system of training Engineering employees from the entry level onward is proposed.

Thesis (MPA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Nine years after the launch of the Learnership programme, considerable efforts have been undertaken by various organisations to implement the programme. However, the implementation of the programme is still faced with various challenges which hamper the overall goal of obtaining a formal registered qualification and maximising the employment opportunities of the learners through the combination of vocational education and training. The study focuses on the evaluation of the implementation of the Learnership programme within the Public Service Commission. By nature, evaluations play a critical role of determining the worthiness of a programme or its shortcomings. The study provides a detailed account of the Learnership programme, its design, and the implementation thereof. Furthermore, the study highlights the need for a transparent, non-discriminatory legislative and policy context, as well as sound institutional mechanisms for supporting the implementation of the programme. Based on the evidence gathered, it appears that there is little appreciation of the concept of skills development through the Learnership programme. The implementation of the programme has been marred by coordination and management challenges and as a result, the acquiring of skills or skills transfer through the programme remains a challenge. Overall, the lack of institutionalising the programme has rendered it an ad-hoc activity as opposed to a strategic investment of addressing skills shortage. A number of recommendations are provided for improving the implementation of the programme and to contribute towards resolving the pervasive skills constraints in South Africa through the Learnership programme. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Nege jaar na die instelling van die Leerderskapprogram is heelwat werk reeds deur verskeie organisasies gedoen om die program te implementeer. Die implementering van die program gaan steeds met verskeie uitdagings gepaard wat nadelig is vir die verwesenliking van die oorkoepelende doel om 'n formele geregistreerde kwalifikasie te verwerf en die leerders se indiensnemingsgeleenthede te verbeter deur 'n kombinasie van beroepsonderwys en -opleiding. Die studie fokus op die evaluering van die implementering van die Leerderskapprogram in die Staatsdienskommissie. Evaluering speel uiteraard 'n kritieke rol om die waarde of tekortkominge van 'n program te bepaal. Die studie bied 'n gedetailleerde oorsig van die Leerderskapprogram en die ontwerp en implementering daarvan. Voorts beklemtoon die studie 'n deursigtige, niediskriminerende wetgewende en beleidskonteks asook 'n stewige institusionele meganisme om die implementering van die program te steun, hoewel dit uit die getuienis blyk dat daar weinig begrip is van die konsep van vaardigheidsontwikkeling deur die Leerderskapprogram. Die implementering van die program word belemmer deur koördinerings- en bestuursuitdagings, met die gevolg dat die verwerwing van vaardighede of vaardigheidsoordrag deur middel van die program 'n uitdaging bly. In die geheel gesien, veroorsaak die gebrekkige institusionalisering van die program dat dit 'n ad hoc-aktiwiteit is in plaas van 'n strategiese investering om die vaardigheidstekort die hoof te bied. Verskeie aanbevelings word gedoen om die implementering van die program te verbeter en om by te dra tot die oplossing van die wydverspreide vaardigheidstekort in Suid-Afrika deur middel van die Leerderskapprogram.

Thesis (MPhil (Sociology and Social Anthropology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: This study focuses on the shortage of labour in the rural areas of the Free State and, in direct contrast to the high unemployment figures and great demand for jobs. The upskilling of unskilled labour is one of South Africa’s biggest social problems. It is becoming ever more pressing given the increasing demand for skilled labour to adapt to technological advancement and the new information era. The South African government has created various initiatives and policies to accommodate and provide previously disadvantaged groups with opportunities for training and better life prospects. Viewing South Africa’s rural areas from a historical perspective may result in scepticism about the success of these training initiatives and question the commitment of private business towards these policies. Policies and regulations increasingly place greater administrative pressure on workplaces, which could lead to the expectation that training in companies would merely be regarded as an extra burden. The VKB, a local agricultural co-operative in the Free State, challenges this assumption. This study investigates the experiences and expectations of employees to determine the impact of training on individuals. Interviews with employees and management in the company show that training plays a crucial role in producing solidarity in a stable workplace environment. For both groups, government-proposed education and training are regarded as very important in their own lives and for the future development of South Africa. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie ondersoek die tekort aan arbeid wat in die plattelandse gebiede van die Vrystaat ondervind word, in teenstelling met die hoë werkloosheidsyfer en behoefte aan werksgeleenthede in dié gebied. Die verdere opleiding van ongeskoolde arbeid is een van Suid-Afrika se grootste maatskaplike probleme. Dié kwessie raak al hoe meer relevant gegewe die groter aanvraag na geskoolde arbeid om aan te pas by tegnologiese vooruitgang en die eise van die inligtingsera. Die Suid-Afrikaanse regering het verskeie inisiatiewe en beleide ingestel om opleidingsgeleenthede en beter vooruitsigte vir voorheen benadeelde groepe daar te stel. As die Suid-Afrikaanse platteland vanuit ’n historiese perspektief beskou word, kan ’n mens skepties staan teenoor die wyse waarop sakeondernemings hierdie beleide sal aanvaar en toepas. Hierbenewens plaas beleide en wetgewing ook geweldige administratiewe druk op ondernemings, wat aanleiding kan gee tot die vermoede dat maatskappye opleiding slegs as ’n ekstra las sou beskou. Die VKB, ’n plaaslike landboukoöperasie in die Vrystaat, bewys egter die teendeel van hierdie aanname. Dit bring hierdie studie tot die punt van ondersoek, waar die ervaring en verwagtings van werknemers ondersoek word om vas te stel watter impak opleiding op individue het. Persoonlike onderhoude met werknemers en die bestuur dui daarop dat opleiding ’n belangrike faktor is wat samehorigheid in ’n stabiele werksomgewing in die hand werk. Albei groepe beskou opleiding en onderrig, soos voorgestel deur die regering, as uiters belangrik in hulle eie lewens en vir die algehele ontwikkeling van Suid-Afrika.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The modern business environment is characterised by uncertainty, rapid change and the continuous pursuit of competitiveness. This has placed a renewed emphasis on the capacitation of managers operating in such environments and may be seen as a critical means of ensuring a sustainable advantage. Within the South African food retail environment, learning and development activities do not seem to be capacitating managers effectively, as well as taking too long to meet the changing demands of the retail sector. Lifelong learning has the potential to accelerate the development of individuals in management positions. Lifelong learning can be seen as the facilitation of learning, growth and development of individuals, as well as a means for enabling individuals and organisations to meet the challenges of an increasingly competitive world. Learning has the potential to empower individuals. In facilitating lifelong learning, a coaching methodology was used to facilitate the learning of ten middle managers in a large food retail store (part of one of the biggest retail organisations in South Africa). This research set out to evaluate the effect of coaching (as a method to facilitate learning) to empower middle managers in the food retail sector. The research was approached from a lifelong learning perspective and the focus of the research was the individual adult learner. Within the context of adult learning, the concepts of andragogy, experiential learning and transformative learning were applied in the facilitation of adult learning. Coaching (as a method to facilitate learning) allows for a uniquely individual and personal approach to learning. The learning and development intervention (using a coaching methodology) to facilitate learning was implemented over a period of 12 months and the participants were ten middle managers employed by the retail store. The case study (more specifically a multiple-case) design was used as research design. The findings of the research were discussed to place them within the context of the following research questions: • What is the effect of coaching as a method of learning and development in the facilitation of lifelong learning to empower middle managers in the food retail environment? • Is coaching (as only another way of facilitating learning) an effective method for facilitating learning and the development of middle managers in the food retail sector? • Which dimensions should be taken into consideration when implementing a coaching methodology (as a method of learning) in developing middle managers in the retail sector? The participants’ empowerment status was measured with a standardised questionnaire using a pre-test, post-test and post-post-test design. The research was conducted in three phases. Mixed methods research (using both qualitative and quantitative methods) was used during the research, which included interviews, field notes, questionnaires, observation, tests and official statistics. The first phase consisted of an evaluation, which included an evaluation of each individual manager. Two learning style questionnaires were applied to each middle manager to gain a better understanding of each middle manager and to assist the learning process on an individual basis. Lastly, a pre-test on empowerment was done by means of a standardised questionnaire. Part of this phase involved a structured interview with each individual manager. The second phase involved exposure to the coaching intervention and the process of coaching, followed by a post-test for measuring changes in the empowerment status. The last phase consisted of a post-post-test to measure changes in empowerment at the end of the coaching intervention. Five out of the ten middle managers showed sustained empowerment gains at the end of the coaching intervention. An experiential approach (using Kolb’s learning model) was used to facilitate the learning, and the middle managers who completed the learning cycle (namely concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experience) showed empowerment gains. The learners who showed empowerment also displayed self-direction in their learning. Coaching (as a method to facilitate lifelong learning) was used as an effective method of learning in a busy retail environment. Statistical analysis showed no statistically significant improvements in empowerment from pre-test to post-posttest of the total group. Based on the findings and conclusions of the research, a new coaching framework (to facilitate lifelong learning), namely the New Coaching Retail Model, is proposed. This model consists of dimensions that facilitate individual lifelong learning, pointing to an empowered lifelong learner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die hedendaagse sake-omgewing word gekenmerk deur onsekerheid, vinnige verandering en ’n volgehoue ingesteldheid op mededinging. Binne die konteks van menslikehulpbronontwikkeling is daar ’n hernude beklemtoning van die ontwikkeling van bestuurders in omgewings van hierdie aard, wat aan besighede volhoubare voordeel sal gee. In die Suid Afrikaanse kleinhandel-voedselsektor blyk dit dat sekere leer- en ontwikkelingsaktiwiteite nie aan die uniekheid van die sake – en dus aan die konteks – voldoen nie. Lewenslange leer het die potensiaal om individuele ontwikkeling te versnel. Lewenslange leer kan as die fasilitering van leer, groei en ontwikkeling gesien word, en hou voordele in vir die individu, asook vir die organisasie binne die konteks van ’n veranderende sake-omgewing. Lewenslange leer het die potensiaal om die individu te bemagtig. Binne die konteks van die navorsing is ’n afrigtingsmetodologie gebruik om die lewenslange leerproses van tien middelbestuurders van ’n kleinhandelsaak (wat deel vorm van een van die grootste kleinhandelgroepe in Suid-Afrika) te fasiliteer. Die doel van die navorsing was om die effek van afrigting op die bemagtiging van middelbestuurders binne die kleinhandel te evalueer. Die navorsing is vanuit die perspektief van lewenslange leer benader. Die fokus van die navorsing was die individuele volwasse leerder. Binne die konteks van volwasse leer, is andragogie, ondervindingleer en transformasieleer tydens die fasilitering van volwasse leer toegepas. Afrigting (as ’n metode om lewenslange leer te fasiliteer) maak voorsiening vir ’n unieke individuele en persoonlike aanslag tot lewenslange leer. Die leer- en ontwikkelingsintervensie (deur die gebruik van afrigting ) is oor ’n tydperk van 12 maande gevolg en die teikengroep het uit tien middelbestuurders binne een kleinhandelsaak bestaan. Die navorsingsontwerp het ’n gevalle studie- (meer spesifiek ’n veelvuldige gevalle studie) ontwerp gevolg. Die drie navorsingsvrae verwys na die aard van die afrigtingsintervensie om lewenslange leer te fasiliteer en was daarop gemik om te bepaal of die afrigtingsintervensie ’n effek op die deelnemers se bemagtigingsvlakke gehad het, of afrigting as effektiewe metode vir leer en ontwikkeling vir middelbestuur binne die kleinhandelsektor aangewend kan word, en watter dimensies in ag geneem moet word wanneer ’n afrigtingsmetodologie gebruik word om middelbestuur binne die kleinhandelsektor te ontwikkel. Die deelnemers se bemagtigingstatus is met ’n gestandaardiseerde vraelys gemeet, terwyl ’n voor-en-ná-toets en ’n verdere (post-post-) toetsontwerp gevolg is. Die navorsing is in drie fases geïmplementeer. Beide kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe metodes bestaande uit onderhoude, notas tydens veldwerk, onderhoude, vraelyste, waarneming, toetse en statistiese analise is gebruik. Die eerste fase het uit formele evaluering bestaan, waar elke individuele bestuurder geëvalueer is. Elke bestuurder het twee verskillende vraelyste voltooi wat die individu se leerstyl geïdentifiseer het. Hierdie fase het ook voortoets behels wat die deelnemers se bemagtigingstatus gemeet het, asook uit gestruktureerde onderhoude. Gedurende die tweede fase is deelnemers aan die afrigtingsintervensie blootgestel. Gedurende die intervensie is die deelnemers se bemagtigingstatus weer deur ná-toets gemeet om verandering in bemagtiging vas te stel. Fase drie het uit verdere toets bestaan om die deelnemers se bemagtigingstatus aan die einde van die leer intervensie te meet. Die navorsing se bevindinge dui daarop dat vyf van die tien deelnemers aan die einde van die afrigtingsintervensie ’n verbetering in hul bemagtigingstatus getoon het. Deur gebruik te maak van ’n ondervindingsaanslag (soos gebruik in Kolb se leermodel) was dit beduidend dat die middelbestuurders wat die siklus van leer voltooi het, almal ook ’n verbetering in hul bemagtigingstatus getoon het. Hierdie leerders het ook selfrigting in hulle leer getoon. Afrigting (as ’n metode om lewenslange leer te fasiliteer) kon effektief as ’n metode van leer in ’n besige kleinhandelsektor gebruik word. Statistiese analise het getoon dat daar geen betekenisvolle verbeteringe van die voortoets na die na-na-toets van die groep was nie. Gegrond op die bevindinge en gevolgtrekkings, word ’n nuwe afrigtingsmodel voorgestel om lewenslange leer te fasiliteer, naamlik die “New Coaching Retail Model” (wat vertaal kan word as die “Nuwe Kleinhandelafrigtingsmodel”). Dié model is aamgestel uit dimensies wat individuele lewenslange leer bevorder, en wat dui op ’n bemagtigde lewenslange leerder.

Annexure is transcription of in-depth interviews. / Dissertation (DPhil) -- Stellenbosch University, 2000. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the era of globalisation, demands for increased productivity and multiple skills present challenges to adult educators in their role of facilitating empowerment in individuals. The proposed link between productivity and empowerment has stimulated interest in the concept by management and there has to be accountability to ensure that the needs of individuals and organisations are balanced. The aim of designing a standardised measuring instrument comprised the first phase of this research. The questionnaire was compiled based on the outcomes of empowerment identified in the literature on three levels (Micro-level, Interface level and Macro-level). After exploratory testing, the summated ratings method was applied in order to reduce and standardise the questionnaire. This instrument was tested for validity and the questionnaire of 61 statements was retained for the experiment. The experiment was conducted in the second phase to measure the effects of an intervention on the empowerment of workers. The questionnaire was applied in the Pre-, Post- and Postpost- test design in eight companies in the Western Cape where the life-skills training programme FREE TO GROW was implemented. Qualitative data collected identified the outcomes of empowerment and also validated the measuring instrument. Statistical procedures applied identified the patterns of empowerment in respondents. The respondents in the experiment were mainly females and the mean age was 33.9 years. The majority were Afrikaans and most classified themselves as part of the Coloured ethnic group. The FREE TO GROW training programme succeeded in achieving the objective of empowerment because it was found that there was a statistically significant improvement in the empowerment status of workers both in the short and long term. Most of the total group was empowered on the Interface level prior to the course and on the Micro-level after the course and in the long term. The males were more empowered on the Macro-level before the course, but had increased sustained Interface-level empowerment. The females benefited most on the Micro-level directly after the course and in the long term. Before the course the Coloured group was more empowered on the Micro-level compared to the whites, but they benefited most on the Interface level directly after the course. The Coloured group and females had statistically significant higher scores on the Interface level in the long term. In terms of the patterns of empowerment, it was found that the Micro-level issues were dominant prior to the course with a greater spread of perception of the other aspects of empowerment over time. Before the course, the respondents tended to react to personal and family issues where no action was needed. They were motivated to achieve their goals and had a desire for control over aspects affecting them. Directly after the course they had a more positive view of life, a sense of personal responsibility, and an ability to cope. They were prepared to take the initiative, were more ambitious and felt confident of their abilities in the workplace. In the long term their experience of empowerment was more balanced and they felt good about themselves, were more assertive, able to think critically and more involved in issues external to themselves. The measuring instrument designed in this study measured the outcomes of empowerment on three levels and helped to identify the patterns that emerged over the course of an intervention. A standardised empowerment questionnaire can increase accountability, assist in balancing the needs of individuals and management, and can provide insights to educationalists seeking to empower adults. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING:In die era van globalisering stel die vraag na verhoogde produktiwiteit en veelvuldige vaardighede groot uitdagings aan opvoedkundiges betrokke by volwassene-onderrig in hul rol as fasiliteerders van bemagtiging by individue. Die voorgestelde verb and tussen produktiwiteit en bemagtiging het bestuur se belangstelling in die konsep aangewakker en toerekenbaarheid is noodsaaklik ten einde te verseker dat die behoeftes van individue en organisasies in balans is. Die eerste fase van hierdie navorsing het die ontwerp van 'n gestandaardiseerde meetinstrument ten doel gehad. Die vraelys is saamgestel op grond van die uitkomste van bemagtiging op drie vlakke (Mikrovlak, Interpersoonlike-vlak en Makrovlak) soos in die literatuur geYdentifiseer. Na ondersoekende toetsing is die vraelys verkort en gestandaardiseer. Hierdie instrument is vir geldigheid getoets en die vraelys van 61 stellings is vir die eksperiment behou. In die tweede fase is die eksperiment uitgevoer om die uitwerking van 'n intervensie op die bemagtiging van werkers te meet. Die vraelys is in die voor- en na-toets en mi die na-toets in agt maatskappye in die Wes-Kaap toegepas waar die opleidingsprogram In lewensvaardighede, "FREE TO GROW', geYmplementeer is. Kwalitatiewe data wat ingesamel is het die resultate van bemagtiging geYdentifiseer en ook die geldigheid van die meetinstrument bekragtig. Statistiese prosedures wat toegepas is het die bemagtigingspatrone by respondente geYdentifiseer. Die respondente in die eksperiment was hoofsaaklik vroue en die gemiddelde ouderdom was 33.9 jaar. Die meeste was Afrikaanssprekend en het hulself as lede van die Kleurling etniese groep geklassifiseer. Die "FREE TO GROW' opleidingsprogram het daarin geslaag om die doelwit van bemagtiging te bereik, omdat daar op kort- en lang termyn 'n statisties beduidende verbetering in die bemagtigingstatus van werkers gevind is. Die meeste van die totale groep is voor die kursus op die Interpersoonlike-vlak bemagtig en na die kursus en op die lang termyn op die Mikrovlak. Die mans is voor die kursus meer op die Makrovlak bemagtig, maar het groter volgehoue Interpersoonlike-vlak bemagtiging getoon. Die vroue het onmiddellik na die kursus en op die lang termyn die meeste op die Mikrovlak gebaat. Voor die kursus was die Kleurlinggroep meer op die Mikrovlak bemagtig in vergelyking met die blankes, maar hulle het onmiddellik na die kursus die meeste op die Interpersoonlike-vlak gebaat. Die Kleurlinggroep en die vroue het op lang termyn statisties beduidend hoer tellings op die Interpersoonlike-vlak behaal. Wat bemagtigingpatrone betref, is bevind dat die Mikrovlak-kwessies voor die kursus oorheersend was, met 'n groter verspreiding van persepsie van die ander aspekte van bemagtiging oor tyd. Voor die kursus was die respondente geneig om op persoonlike en gesinsaangeleenthede te reageer wat geen aksies vereis het nie. Hulle was gemotiveer om hul doelwitte te bereik en het beheer verlang oor aspekte wat hulle geraak het. Onmiddellik na die kursus het hulle 'n meer positiewe uitkyk op die lewe en 'n persoonlike verantwoordelikheidsin gehad, en getoon dat hulle probleme kon hanteer. Hulle was bereid om die insiatief te neem, was meer ambisieus en het vertroue gehad in hul vermoens in die werkplek. Op die lang termyn was hul ervaring van bemagtiging meer gebalanseerd en hulle het goed gevoel oor hulself, was meer assertief, in staat tot kritiese denke en meer betrokke by aangeleenthede buite hulself. Die meetinstrument wat in hierdie studie ontwerp is, het die uitkoms van bemagtiging op drie vlakke gemeet en gehelp om die patrone wat oor die verloop van 'n intervensie na yore gekom het, te identifiseer. 'n Gestandaardiseerde bemagtigingsvraelys kan toerekenbaarheid verhoog, help om die behoeftes van individue en bestuur te balanseer, en insig bied aan opvoedkundiges wat poog om volwassenes te bemagtig.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to Van Scheers (2010, p. 1) small businesses constitute 55% of the employment rate in South Africa. The argument that in the future new jobs are more likely to come from a large number of small businesses than from a small number of large businesses (Martin, 2001, p. 189) has challenged the South African government to support the empowerment of small business. The Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&R SETA) was formed as part of the governmental plan to ensure quality-learning provision within the wholesale and retail sector. The training of employees within small businesses in the wholesale and retail sector is not adequate (Mokgata, 2009, p. 4), despite the various methods of training funded by the W&R SETA. The small business unit at the W&R SETA introduced the Voucher-training System. Small levy paying businesses in this sector receive a voucher or vouchers that can be used to access free training opportunities for staff. Providers accredited with the W&R SETA are allowed to offer training programmes that suit the education and training needs of the sector. Companies pay the provider with the free vouchers they are allocated by the SETA. The scope of the Small Business Voucher-training System is to offer short courses that provide skills with immediate effect on the small businesses. The focus of this study grew out of the need to know if the voucher-training programmes meet the needs of small businesses in the wholesale and retail sector. In order to determine whether the voucher-training programmes meet the needs of the small business sector, the small business managers’ perceptions of the voucher-training programme are essential in order to develop insights into the possible improvements and sustainability of the programme. A descriptive research study from an interpretivist perspective is used to understand the perceptions of the small business managers of the voucher programmes. A case study design was used and forms the basis of this study. Interviews were used to elicit qualitative data that provide insights into small business managers’ perceptions of the voucher-training programme. A descriptive research study from an interpretivist perspective is used to understand the perceptions of the small business managers of the voucher programmes. A case study design was used and forms the basis of this study. Interviews were used to elicit qualitative data that provide insights into small business managers’ perceptions of the voucher-training programme. The reasons small business managers gave explaining why they selected specific programmes for employees indicate the influence the training had on employees and their future progression and development within their company. It showed how the company itself benefited from the employees involvement in these programmes and lists the most appropriate programme for these small businesses in the wholesale and retail sector. The small business managers’ reflections on any changes in their employees’ behaviour after the employee attended the voucher-training programme ranged from positive behaviours which they noticed to poor or no influence from the training interventions on employee behaviours at all. The learning programmes small business managers noted as essential in furthering the development of their employees are programmes that suit the respondents in this study. These insights are important in order to understand the type of programmes needed by small business managers in determining the further training needs for their employees in the wholesale and retail sector. The respondents shared various insights, from their personal experience after they had sent employees on the learning programmes, on how they felt the voucher programme system could be improved. The insights these small business managers provide on how to possibly improve the voucher-training programme indicate a thorough knowledge of their business and operational requirements which the SETA and providers need to pay careful attention to should this programme continue.