Thesis (MTech (Education))--Peninsula Technikon, 2003. / Word processed copy. Summary in English. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 126-129). Also available online.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment, as well as to determine the decision making processes applied by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. A conceptual model was developed to illustrate the impact of various factors on labour turnover and the decision making processes that could be followed by engineering professionals when seeking alternative employment. The factors impacting on labour turnover were organised into four categories, namely external, internal, expectations and personal trait factors. The theoretical study revealed that employees were more likely to leave their present organisations if they perceived that there was ample opportunity for acceptable alternative employment (Bigliardi, Petroni & Dormio, 2005). Zimmerman (2008) stated that employee turnover was a problem faced by all organisations globally. In their study they mentioned that high labour turnover rates have been associated with decreased customer satisfaction, productivity, future revenue growth and profitability. A sense of instability and frustration can also cause work backlogs and slow productivity. At times employees lose faith in their organisations as more individuals seek alternative employment (Drake International, 2010). When the organisation experiences high turnover, burnout also increases and could possibly lead to stayers also seeking alternative employment. Previous studies contain evidence of an extensive poaching of South African engineering professionals (technologists and engineers) by overseas companies (Du Toit & Roodt, 2009). As a result of this mobility and the lack of significant engineering graduates entering the industry, companies competed for a limited number of engineering professionals. This challenge resulted in a higher labour turnover rate among engineers as the demand for engineering professionals was higher than the supply. The skills shortage of engineering professionals in South Africa was one of the perceived contributing factors impacting engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. Apart from the shortage of skills there were other factors that impacted on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment. External factors, such as slow recruitment due to the low economy, have been identified as having an impact on labour turnover rates. Bigliardi et al (2005) stated that external factors, also referred to as push factors, such as changes in economic, social and technological conditions,created challenges for retaining engineering professionals. Through developing multivariate models that combine a number of factors contributing to labour turnover and empirically testing these models, researchers have attempted to predict why individuals decide to seek alternative employment (MINTRAC, 2010). The job search process was evaluated and referred to as the process of looking for alternatives to a current job, and the evaluation of those alternatives (Brown, 2009). Various decision making models, including the rational decision making model, Steers and Mowday’s model, image theory and the unfolding path model were studied to provide an understanding of how engineering professionals decided whether to seek alternative employment. Donnell and Quirin (2006) explained two decision making models. These are the image theory and Lee and Mitchell’s unfolding model. According to Zimmerman (2008), the studies carried out did not clearly reflect the impact of individual characteristic factors. An empirical study, by means of a survey and a questionnaire as a data collecting tool, was conducted to determine the factors that impacted on engineering professionals at GIBB to seek alternative employment and the decision making process they applied in seeking alternative employment. This study reflected that personal traits such as openness to new experiences, high levels of competency, the ability to form relationships at work, a general level of commitment, ability to incorporate other people’s views at work and a general positive attitude towards work itself influenced the decision to seek alternative employment. The external, internal, expectancy and personal trait factors that were perceived to be the most influential in impacting on engineering professionals’ decision to seek alternative employment were presented in a revised concept model. This model could be valuable for developing retention strategies at GIBB. Future research that could be beneficial to GIBB and the engineering industry was also identified.

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Thesis (MTech (Education))--Peninsula Technikon, Cape Town, 2003 / Currently in South Africa most learners attend academic schools that offer general subjects such as History, Geography, Biology, Accountancy and so on. There are considerably fewer technical schools that can absorb those individuals who want to pursue an engineering trade career path. Academic schools are not equipped to provide for learners who want to pursue engineering trade careers. These learners either fall by the wayside by leaving school prematurely, or they continue at the school through to matric with subjects that are not linked to engineering careers. This study attempts to determine the knowledge, understanding, attitude and perception of the learners, parents, educators, principal, and the WCED with regard to this problem. It is intended through this study to make recommendations that will lead to meaningful interventions in an attempt to rectify the current situation. The findings indicate that learners do not have an understanding of engineering careers and are more inclined to choose the more traditional careers such as teacher, doctor, lawyer, nurse etc. Because their career options are limited, many learners are unsure of what careers to choose while others end up choosing careers that are not suited for them. The parents are not knowledgeable enough and do not possess the necessary skills to assist their children with their career choices. Teachers at academic schools themselves had an academic education. As a result they are not aware of engineering careers and are not empowered to advise the learners. The principal, who is also an academic, has to consider the implication of making learners aware of engineering careers, because this could lead to an exodus of students from the school. He is under pressure from the WCED to maintain the required teacher - student ratios. The findings indicate that the WCED has initiated various programs around careers, but nothing specific with regard to career awareness. It is evident that these programs have not filtered through to this school. The methodology for this research incorporated a multi-method approach with both quantitative and qualitative instruments used. Questionnaires were directed at learners, educators and the parents. Focus group sessions were conducted with the learners and educators and interviews were directed at the principal and the WCED official. The study concludes with recommendations drawn from international models.

Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / A steady decline in student enrolment at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (TUTFEBE) was seen in recent years. Small numbers of South African pupils have been matriculating with Mathematics as a subject, and most of them have been underperforming. Since there has been no scientific evidence to date on which recruitment and guidance efforts work best for attracting quality learners for courses in engineering at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), this study was conducted to identify the factors that influence learners’ choice of engineering as a career. This information could assist in the design of an evidence-based recruitment and marketing model. A single-case explanatory study design was used for this research, since it focused on the TUTFEBE. A quantitative and qualitative study was completed by means of inputs from first-year extended curriculum engineering programme students. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Study of Social Sciences (SPSS). By studying the qualitative data from more than one viewpoint, the quantitative findings were verified and triangulated. The influences that played a role in learners’ career choices were identified. Thematic clusters emerged as stimulation or creation of an awareness of or interest in engineering, the influences of different people on learners’ career choices, relevant exposure to careers in engineering, the huge impact of Maths and Science teachers on learners’ career decision-making, method of teaching, employability and the image and reputation of an institution. It became evident that engineering faculties themselves need to assume responsibility for the recruitment of their students. Copying seems to be the main coping strategy in most institutions regarding marketing and recruitment engagements. Although many of TUTFEBE’s current marketing and recruitment actions were on par with the rest of the world, alternative actions were identified and implemented in the model. Informed consent in written format for both the quantitative and qualitative studies was obtained from the subjects after they had been informed what the purpose, risks and benefits were and which procedures would be implemented to ensure confidentiality. The subjects were informed of their right to withdraw at any stage, without any penalty or disadvantage, and were assured that withdrawal would in no way influence their continued relationship with the researcher or their academic progress at TUT.

published_or_final_version / Public Administration / Master / Master of Social Sciences

Job vacancies in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields are expected to rise to 2.5 million between 2004 and 2014 (BLS, 2005). To help fill this need, STEM professionals were podcasted to middle school students, exposing them to the potential job opportunities which exist, and possibly increasing their interest in STEM careers. To investigate whether STEM professional podcasts to middle school students increased their interest in STEM careers, a quasi-experimental pretest/midtest/posttest control group design was analyzed with ANCOVA to determine differences in interest between those students who viewed the podcasts and those who did not. Grade level and gender were also studied to determine differences in interest in pursuing a STEM career. The findings were that the podcast group had significantly higher midtest and posttest scores compared to the control group, when the pretest was the covariate. Posttest scores were not significant between the two treatment groups when midtest scores were used as the covariate. Findings for gender suggested that there is no difference in males and females for interest in pursuing a STEM career when treatment group and grade level were controlled. Grade level comparisons between the two treatment groups found no significant difference in grade level for interest in pursuing a STEM career, when group and gender were controlled. The incorporation of STEM professional podcasts into the classroom could stimulate class discussions on current issues in science, potential careers in STEM and preparatory subjects needed for a particular career which may lead future STEM career pursuits. / Access to thesis and accompanying PDF permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Biology

From summary: This study describes a procedure for predicting course success for certain first term engineering technicians. The aim of the study is to reduce the high attrition rate of trainee engineering technicians through the early identification of candidates who are likely to fail their first term of study. This identification is done by testing all applicants to the courses on a battery of psychological tests, and from this information estimating the applicants' first term course results. It is suggested that the student counsellors attached to the various Technikons integrate the suggested procedure into a flexible vocational guidance service for engineering technicians. It should be borne in mind that no validation study can predict future success with a hundred percent accuracy, and that the sample used in this study may be specific to the Witwatersrand Technikon.

The relationship between economic and demographic factors and the flow of new students into undergraduate engineering programs was investigated. An empirical analysis was undertaken based on a lagged-supply model developed earlier by Richard Freeman. The analysis involved the replication of the Freeman model over the 1948-1972 period, the extension of the model through 1986, and the forecasting of first-year engineering enrollments up to the year 2000. The model developed in this thesis was able to a accurately mirror the engineering enrollment trends from 1948 to 1986. The economic variables--especially R&D expenditures and starting engineering salaries relative to median income of college graduates--were found to be important factors in the flow of freshmen into engineering. None of the variables relating to demographic trends were found to significantly related to first-year engineering enrollment. The importance of the federal government's role in the engineering labor market through research and development funding is discussed, along with forecasts of possible trends in first-year engineering enrollment. / Master of Arts

by Chan Kwok-Tai. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1987. / Bibliography: leaves 51-52.