This research investigates the specific labour market dynamics that underline the shortage of engineers in the Petrochemical Industry in South Africa. The central argument of this dissertation is that an understanding of a skills shortage requires a distinct knowledge of the internal and external nature of each labour market in which the shortage is being experienced. This dissertation develops a critique of the neoclassical perspective which dominates current analysis of skill shortages. While it is important to understand the external labour market, it is equally important to consider the internal labour market to better identify and understand the specific dynamics that underline a skills shortage in an organisation and industry. Using Engen Refinery as a case study, this dissertation focuses on an in depth examination of the experiences of engineers working at the Refinery. The findings reveal that the dynamics that underline the skill shortage of engineers in the Petrochemical Industry in the South African context are manifold. Skill shortages are a consequence of dynamics in both the external and internal labour market; these I argue are interrelated. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

A national education policy proposal to integrate adult basic education and training (ABET) in South Africa came about largely because of pressure from trade unions to introduce training at the workplace which would make workers more marketable in case of retrenchment. Workplace ABET programmes provide literacy and numeracy skills, after which some workers have a chance of joining further training opportunities provided by their employers. The Independent examinations Board (JEB) provides adult examinations and certifies those learners who pass. This study aims to find out whether the ABET certificates issued by the IBB, particularly Level 3 certificates, open up job opportunities for their holders. A qualitative approach was adopted to research the views of ABET learners and their managers. A small scale survey was undertaken in which four industries providing ABET in the Gauteng area were visited. Interviews were conducted to access information on learners’ and managers’ views on ABET certification. This proved a suitable method for the study because the researcher managed to build confidence in learners and at times used the learners’ home language to clarify questions. The study concludes that ABET empowered learners by giving them reading, writing and communication skills. These skills helped them in building their confidence when communicating with their supervisors and to work with less supervision. On the other hand the study showed that there was no direct relationship between the certificates that learners earned and work opportunities. Managers could not clearly identify the kind of work that learner who had attained ABET Level 3 certificates could perform. The recommendations call for a clear' policy by both unions and employers on ABET. Workers need to be rewarded for the effort they put into learning, even if the rewards are not the reasons which lead them to learn.