M.Ed. / The objective of this study was to investigate the proportion of teachers' input with regard to career and future orientation. A literature study was undertaken and it is evident that against a background of change in society and the economy, there is a definite need for more specific and up to date career and future orientation in the schools. Furthermore, the importance of career and future orientation as a process is emphasised. In chapter two, all the essential components of career and future orientation are identified, and a model illustrating the integration of these two aspects as a cyclical process is posited. An empirical study was undertaken and these components were used to develop the research instrument. The research design is discussed in chapter three. In chapter four the hypotheses for each item are tested, and the findings are discussed. A summary of these findings, together with the conclusions, recommendations and suggestions for further research are made in this chapter. Within the context of the paradigm shift which has taken place within the new dispensation for education, from in-put curriculum model to process out-put approach (COTEP, 1996: preface), as well as considering the altruistic nature of teaching, it becomes evident that responsibilities of the teacher rise above and beyond the call of duty which existed in the past. Education should equip its learners with skills that go beyond the basics (Calitz, 1991:10). In terms of the responsibilities of teachers as set out in the Provincial Gazette Extraordinary (1995:50) teachers clearly have a responsibility which goes beyond merely teaching subject content. Prof. Bengu makes the following statement: °Our message is that education and training must change. It cannot be business as usual in our schools, colleges, technikons and universities. the national project of reconstruction and development compels everyone in education and training to accept the challenge of creating a system which cultivates and liberates the talents of all our people without exception"(Govemment Gazette, 1995:5). The teacher must endeavour to educate pupils towards self-actualisation in order to improve the quality of life for both the individual and the country (Government Gazette, 1995:21). According to Van der Merwe and Berkhout, (1991:96) the effects of unemployment on our education system are especially noticeable in terms of the objectives of education, learners and learning content. New parameters are being set for the competence of the people who must help others to achieve competence. It should not be a case of °do as I read in a book, or do as I did 20 years ago° (Gamble & Tyers, 1994:11). It appears that in the context of social change and the subsequent need for guidance, the advent of a global economy, and different manpower requirements, as well as in light of growing unemployment amongst manpower wrongly trained, career and future orientation should become a continuous process throughout the everyday learning experience of the pupil, so that the human resources of South Africa can be developed to the optimum. The findings of this research indicate that teachers by and large believe their input with regard to career and future orientation to be adequate. However, from data collected in the empirical investigation, it is evident that teachers do not perceive themselves as actively participating in the orientation of pupils towards a career and their future. With regard to the items pertaining to this study, it appears that teachers tend to be more active in future orientation activities than career orientation. Taking into consideration the distinction made between career orientation and future orientation, the following findings are illustrated by the analysis of the data. With regard to future orientation, concerning helping pupils to prioritise life-values, teaching decision making skills and helping pupils to set realistic goals for their future, teachers perceive these as being activities in which they deliver a higher input than the career orientation activities. These future orientation activities feature first, second and third in rank order in terms of the perception of teachers with regard to the proportion of their input (see table 4.1). Furthermore, according to the results of the research, it seems that the senior primary teachers and those who are in managerial positions are more concerned with future orientation (refer 4.8 and 4.10).

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The research project, conducted at AngloGold Limited, a Johannesburg based international mining company, was an evaluation of the extent to which the company had i'hlplemented the National Skills Development Strategy. It was prompted by the general perception that companies were lagging behind in the implementation of this strategy. The research problem therefore was: To what extent is AngloGold Limited progressing or lagging behind in the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy? As the project sought to evaluate implementation progress, an evaluation research design was used. Since persons with in-depth knowledge of the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy were available at AngloGold Limited, a purposive sampling method was used. Two techniques were used to gather information: individual semistructured interviews were conducted with AngloGold Limited personnel and union members, and an unstructured in-depth interview with a representative of the Mining Qualifications Authority. Documents of AngloGold Limited and of the Mining Qualifications Authority were also analysed, and a general review of pertinent literature was conducted. The literature traces the history of formal education and training in South Africa back to 1922, when the Apprenticeship Act (Act No. 26 of 1922) was enacted. Notable in the history of training in South Africa prior to the current dispensation of the National Skills Development Strategy was the Manpower Training Act (Act No. 56 of 1981. Notwithstanding its shortcomings, this Act provided a platform from which the current legislative framework for human resource education and training and subsequently the National Skills Development Strategy evolved. The National Skills Development Strategy, which is the government's education and training reform agenda, is one component of the all-encompassing Human Resources Development Strategy. This agenda is not modelled on the experience of any particular country; however, there is evidence that its conceptualisation was influenced to some extent by international practices. The National Skills Development Strategy is underpinned by three pieces of legislation, the South African Qualification Act (Act No. 58 of 1995), the Skills Development Act (Act No. 97 of 1998) and the Skills Development Levies Act (Act No.9 of 1999). The Employment Equity Act and the Further Education and Development Act also have a bearing on the National Skills Development Strategy. The Skills Development Act prescribes what is expected of workplaces/companies in the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy. Workplaces play their part in the implementation of this strategy within the parameters of the implementation process at the macro level. At this level, the implementation process is progressing fairly well. The evaluation of the implementation of skills development at AngloGold Limited against what is expected of workplaces placed it among companies that are progressing well in the implementation of the National Skills Development Strategy. The company has so far complied with most of the implementation requirements, except for the strategy for company-wide communication of the National Skills Development Strategy process. The company needs to develop an effective and efficient information dissemination strategy to this end. Moreover, the company needs to move beyond reporting on training in terms of numbers to providing information on the actual skills acquired. Learnerships also need to be extended beyond the engineering discipline. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die navorsingsprojek was om vas te stel in hoe ver die maatskappy AngloGold Bpk, 'n internasionale mynboumaatskappy gesetel in Johannesburg, die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie tot op hede geïmplementeer het. Die navorsing is aangespoor deur die algemene persepsie dat maatskappye in hierdie opsig besig is om agter te raak. Die probleemstelling was dus: In watter mate is AngloGold Beperk by of agter met die implementering van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie? Aangesien die oogmerk van die projek was om vordering met die implementering te evalueer, is 'n evalueringsontwerp gebruik. Vanweë die beskikbaarheid van persone by AngloGold Beperk met 'n diepgaande kennis van die implementering van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkeling strategie, is 'n doelbewuste steekproef geneem. Twee tegnieke is gebruik om inligting te verkry: individuele, semigestruktureerde onderhoude is met personeel van AngloGold Beperk gevoer en 'n ongestruktureerde, diepgaande onderhoud met 'n verteenwoordiger van die Mynboukwalifikasie-owerheid. Dokumente van AngloGold Beperk en van die Mynboukwalifikasie-owerheid is ook ontleed en 'n algemene oorsig oor die tersaaklike literatuur is onderneem. Die literatuur spoor die geskiedenis van formele opleiding en onderwys in Suid-Afrika terug tot 1922, toe die Vakleerlingwet (Wet Nr 26 van 1922) uitgevaardig is. 'n Baken in die geskiedenis van opleiding in Suid-Afrika voor die huidige bedeling van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie was die Wet op Mannekragopleiding (Wet 56 van 1981). Ondanks sy tekortkomings het hierdie wet die grondslag gelê waarop die huidige wetgewing op die opleiding en onderwys van menslike hulpbronne voortgebou het en die huidige Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie ontwikkel is. Die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie is een komponent van die oorhoofse Menslike Hulpbronontwikkelingstrategie, wat die regering se agenda vir die hervorming van onderwys en opleiding vorm. Hierdie agenda is nie geskoei op die ondervinding van enige besondere land nie, maar daar is aanduidings dat die konsepsualisering daarvan in 'n mate deur internasionale praktyke beïnvloed is. Die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie word gerugsteun deur drie wette, naamlik die Suid-Afrikaanse Kwalifikasiewet (Wet Nr 58 van 1995), die Wet op Vaardigheidsontwikkeling (Wet Nr 97 van 1998) en die Wet op Vaardigheidsontwikkelingsheffings (Wet Nr 9 van 1999). Die Wet op Diensbillikheid en die Wet op Voortgesette Onderwys en Ontwikkeling het ook betrekking op die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie. Die Wet op Vaardigheidsontwikkeling skryf voor wat van werkplekke/maatskappye verwag word ten opsigte van die implementering van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie. Werkplekke speel hul rol in die implementering van hierdie strategie binne die parameters van die implementeringsproses op makrovlak. Op hierdie vlak verloop die implementeringsproses redelik vlot. Die evaluering van die implementering van vaardigheidsontwikkeling by AngloGold Beperk vergeleke met wat van werkplekke verwag word, het die maatskappy onder dié geplaas wat goed vorder met die implementering van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie. Tot dusver het die maatskappy die meeste van die implementeringsvereistes nagekom, behalwe die strategie vir maatskappy wye kommunikasie van die proses van die Nasionale Vaardigheidsontwikkelingstrategie. Die maatskappy moet dus 'n doeltreffende en effektiewe strategie ontwikkel om inligting oor die strategie te versprei. Daarbenewens moet die maatskappy verder gaan as die blote numeriese rapportering oor opleiding en ook inligting verskaf oor die vaardighede wat werklik verwerf is. Leerlingskappe moet ook verder strek as die ingenieursdissipline.

M.Ed. (Multiculturalism and Education) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate skills development within the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector. The study investigates the reasons associated with the shortage of skills and the factors influencing the rate of skills development within this sector. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / It is well recognised that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) can enhance the quality of teaching and learning in tertiary education. Similarly, research has uncovered a range of factors that impede the successful adoption of digital technology for educational purposes. It remains unclear, furthermore, how educators in institutions of higher learning negotiate and frame their experiences with technology, and how this implicates the teaching and learning process. In this thesis, I will examine this problem, with particular focus on educators from Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions in the Western Cape of South Africa. In addressing the research problem, I use symbolic interactionism as analytic framework to unpack and reconstruct the meaningful engagement with technology. Understanding the multiple symbolic meanings that arise from interactions with technology can illuminate the diverse and nuanced perspectives that underpin the use of ICT in teaching and learning. A symbolic interactionist lens can shed further light on the matter of adoption, and allow this research study to make a practical contribution to the introduction of ICT tools in TVETs. To elicit and interpret the multiple meanings that TVET educators associate with ICT, I will employ photo-elicitation methodology, observation and fieldnotes, and self-reflection. Photo-elicitation involves participants taking photographs along the line of inquiry (e.g. the benefit of using technology to teach), after which they undergo a reflexive interview in which they reflect on the meanings of the photographs they have taken. I will couple direct participant observation (documented in field notes) with symbolic interactionism and photo-elicitation to contribute to the production of meaningful data. Finaly, I will apply guidelines of self-reflection by compiling a reflective journal. Self-reflection will allow me to reflect on my own thoughts about the social phenomenon under study and will enable me to understand how my own behaviour may affect the inquiry. The meanings that emerged from the data were grouped into interactionist themes through which the engagement with technology is framed and understood. Educators are generally appreciative of the support and creative capacities that ICT provides to teaching and learning. They are however frustrated with their own inability to fully understand technology and the lack of support from government and institutional decision makers. Despite educators’ struggles with ICT, they are determined to overcome challenges. These themes can be useful in the repositioning of technology for education in TVETs, and can support implementers and policymakers in more effective application.

M.Ed. (Community Education) / In its magazine (Kaleidoscope 1995:23) Mmabana Lehurutshe states that its intention is to help trainees to be independent after completion of their training. What prompted this study is that contrary to Mmabana Lehurutshe's intention, most of their ex-trainees go back to their initial jobs as house keepers, cleaners, tea makers or they are left jobless. The study makes an inquiry into the role of Mmabana in helping its people to convert the acquired productive skills into microentrepreneurial skills so that they can be self-sustaining. An important contribution of the study is that it unveils the hidden needs of the trainees as well as to give insight into the perceptions of the instructors. It also sheds light on what Mmabana Lehurutshe can do to empower its trainees. Section one gives an overview of the study, background of study, aim and purpose of study, importance of study, research strategy and research questions. The conceptual framework is given in section two. Concepts looked into are the community, community education, microentrepreneurial skills for self-employment, the core-plus curriculum for adult learners and curriculum changes in the developing countries of Africa. Section three displays raw data achieved through fieldwork. Data is processed and findings are arrived at. In section four findings are interpreted and recommendations are made.

D.Ed. (Didactics) / South Africa is presently experiencing a transitional phase where change is the order of the day. Providing education cannot be ruled out. As education plays a universal role in preparing the child for life the general demand for relevance in school education as well as instruction in both the Science and Biology curriculums are investigated in this research projegt. The present provision of education in our schools does not meet the demands of a changing and developing society. High unemployment figures can be attributed to, inter alia, the inability of the education system to provide a well-trained work-force. Education in the senior secondary phase should therefore cater for a curriculum which is more vocationally-oriented and which prepares the pupil for a profession. Science must simultaneously be targeted on the training of scientists as well as non-scientists. A vocationally-oriented content will particularly increase the relevance of the Biology curriculum because the pupil will become aware of the practical (iii) application possibilities of theoretical knowledge in a profession. In addition skills such ee , cognitive (intellectual) skills and psychomotor (practical) skills and techniques will be developed which will not only benefit the pupil who wants to embark a career in biology but will also result in a general science literacy and equip him to handle all community aspects with responsibility and confidence. The empirical investigation of this study centres on determining the relevance of the themes, research skills and laboratory techniques with regard to the present Biology syllabus aimed at both the pupil who desires to pursue an academic course of study and the pupil who wishes to enter a profession in the field of biological science. Therefore lecturers and students at institutions' for tertiary education, as well as employers and employees of professional/vocational institutions were approached in order to determine the relevance of the present Biology syllabus to tertiary studies or to professional life...

D.Ed. / A child is educated with the aim of being able to comply with all the demands of life. One of these demands is having an occupation. In our contemporary society, the demand for work is far greater than the supply, which leads to unemployment. This is one reason for the actuality of this research. The lack of entrepreneurs is a national problem. Generally, parents are of the opinion that someone out there is waiting to employ their child. Children are thus brought up to believe that they must be employees or job seekers. At an early stage, the awareness and attitudes of the youth can be changed by means of entreprenedrial education as a method of combatting unemployment. This study concerns the task of the parental home as creator of a culture characterised by entrepreneurship. A twofold approach, consisting of a literature study (chapters 2-4) and an empirical study (chapters 5-6) was used. The purpose of the study is to determine: • what is understood by entrepreneurship (chapter 2); • the task of the parental home (chapter 3) and • the contribution of the parental home to the encouragement of entrepreneurship (chapter 4). The empirical investigation was undertaken with reference to the above theoretical framework. Teachers and businessman in the Springs Magisterial District were involved in the research. The purpose of this research is to determine which factors or circumstances in the parental home encourage entrepreneurship. Since this information could not be acquired by means of a known or existing instrument, a suitable instrument was designed.

The skills shortages in mining and mineral sector had existed for a decade and had a widespread effect on South Africa economy. It affects the level of economic productivity and reduces the country’s capacity to develop a knowledge society. This, in turn, affects the country’s functioning in the global economy. Despite the sector’s best efforts, the shortages continue to grow and threaten the delivery of projects and growth plans. Some researchers contend with the view that the persistence of skills shortages in mining and mineral sector is largely due to entrenched attitudes among both the industry and the community. They claim that employers have the means to change the educational profile of the subsectors by appointing recruits with higher levels of schooling. However, owing to the limited number of higher educated people living in the communities surrounding the mining operations and lack of interest in mining of people with higher levels of education, to name but few, employers are perceived to have a habit of employing people with little skills. The current study was aimed at investigating the impact of skills shortage on organisational performance, propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability, from the management perceptive. The main objective of this study was to incorporate and embed previous research findings and theories into a comprehensive hypothetical model. A hypothetical model showed various factors that may influence skills shortage. Four independent variables (working environment, employment conditions, resources and education and training) were identified as variables that may influence skills shortage; and mediating variable (skills shortage) was also identified as a variable that have potential to affect dependent variables (organisational performance, propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability) of gold mining sector. Furthermore, eight hypotheses were developed to test the relationship between independent, mediating and dependent variables. All these variables were clearly defined and operationalized with various items obtained from measuring instruments used in other similar studies. A purposive sample of 343 respondents was drawn from the population. A seven-point Likert scale and structured questionnaire were administered in person to the respondents and of which 300 were usable and subjected further to several statistical analyses. The validity and reliability of the measuring instrument was evaluated using significant effect p< = 0.001 and Pearson’s correlation test (α = 0.05). Data gathered were fed to and analysed by STATISTICA (version 10) and factor analysis and regression analyses were the statistical procedures used to test the significance of the relationships between the various independent and dependent variables. Consequently, working environment, resources and education and training were three independent variables that were identified as having ability to predict propensity to leave, competitive advantage and sustainability. An attempt was made to establish whether various demographic variables have an influence on mediating and dependent variables through the introduction of gender and position in the organisation while conducting an Analysis of Variance and Multiple linear regressions, but they obtained negative values. The conclusion is that demographic variables do not have over mediating and depended variables. The findings of this study states that with conducive working environment, availability of resources, the high levels of education and training, the country could produce skills that would reduce propensity to leave, drive competitive advantage and sustainability, innovation and entrepreneurship, create competitive advantages and boost employment sustainability.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of Statistics South Africa's internship programme in developing the statistical skills of interns. A mixed method approach which included semi-structured interviews, document study and electronic questionnaires was used to gain insight into the thoughts and perceptions of 38 participants. The study revealed that many of the crucial elements for a successful internship programme are present in the current internship programme. It was also found that the interns do not get the opportunity to implement or utilize their skills in the areas in which they are being placed. The absorption and retention strategy also seems to pose a challenge for the internship programme of which the goal is to retain as many statisticians as possible. Finally, a proper absorption strategy, better and more formal assessments, and a higher salary level for interns being absorbed into the organization should also be considered / Language Education, Art and Culture / M. Ed. (Adult Education)