Education and skills training are proven remedies in overcoming poverty and unemployment and creating equitable, prosperous and sustainable economies. The government has recognised the critical role post-school education plays in ensuring South Africa realises Vision 2030 which has set a lofty target of 1.25 million student enrolments in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions by 2030. While considerable success has been achieved in enrolment rates, student throughputs at these institutions are weak; on average, only 20% of all students who enter these institutions graduate with a qualification. However, despite all these challenges, there is also reason to be optimistic. The dramatic impact of technology on the world today; how we learn and connect with others and the affordability and accessibility of mobile devices have meant that knowledge acquisition is now available to almost everyone. The purpose of this case study is to explore how mobile technology can be used to enhance the learning experience for students at post-school institutions such as Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. Research participants are drawn from False Bay College in the Western Cape. These 50 young people ranged in age from 18 to 29 years and are split across two study disciplines; namely, Travel and Tourism, and Hospitality. A qualitative case study is conducted, using an inductive approach in a constructivist paradigm. Different data sources (observations, interviews, and WhatsApp group chats) were used to provide an understanding of how mobile technology made the learning experience richer and more rewarding to participants. Data were analysed using Thematic Analyses. The findings indicate that participants feel positive about the use of mobile technology for learning as well as its contribution to the enrichment of their overall learning experience. The accessibility of the technology used in the study, as well as the accessibility afforded by the technology (access to experts, rewards, support services, and industry information) were considered by participants to be the main contributory reasons for the positive enhancement of their learning. However, factors that detract from the use of mobile technology for learning are also listed. Given the increased focus on improving TVET graduate throughput rates, against a backdrop of cost-cutting and demands for a workforce armed with 21st Century skills, educational leaders need to further explore and better understand how ubiquitous technology, like mobile phones, can be used to enhance learning for students to be better equipped to meaningfully participate in the knowledge economy.

Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / This paper focuses on an investigation into adult students, experiences related to access, barriers to participation and success at a TVET college in the Western Cape. Through recognition of prior learning (RPL) many adult students have gained access to TVET colleges to obtain a qualification as educare practitioners. Many educare practitioners have worked in the ECD field for many years without a qualification. RPL provides an opportunity for these practitioners to upskill themselves and more importantly uplift themselves, giving them hope for a better future. The RPL offers adult students hope of advancement amidst challenging circumstances experienced in the past, thereby changing the tide in the latter years of their lives.

Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / The National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programme was designed with multiple agendas, among which was to address the high unemployment among the South African youth, to produce students with an employable skills set as well as it being a vehicle for redress. Managing diversity within education speaks to this agenda of redress. This study investigated diversity within a technical vocational education and training (TVET) college, by exploring the teaching and learning challenges Life Orientation college lecturers face when teaching diverse student population. It considered the background to the TVET sector as well as the learning programme, the NCV, that provided the context for the study. Various literature on diversity was reviewed as well as literature on teaching diverse cohort of students. The investigation was approached from a social justice perspective. The data revealed a number of themes, the first of which was Conceptions of Diversity within the TVET college context as well as Lecturer Strategies to cope with student diversity. Not all lecturer strategies were successful in dealing with diversity-related tensions; this led to the theme Issues and Incidents related to Student Diversity. The concluding theme was participant suggestions for Lecturer Preparation to deal with issues of diversity. In turn, these themes informed the recommendations which include all three key elements in the education process, i.e policy and curriculum, lecturer training and development, and equally important, the student involvement in diversity programmes and strategies within the TVET college.

Magister Educationis (Adult Learning and Global Change) - MEd(AL) / The main objective of this research is to understand workplaces as learning environments. More specifically, the research explored how a TVET college affords opportunities for lecturers for learning through participation in work activities with guidance and support for learning on the job from peers and more experienced colleagues. The research also explored factors which enable or constrain their learning and how they elected to engage with workplace affordances for learning. Drawing on data gathered through analysis of national and institutional policies and semi structured interviews this paper argues that The TVET College does offer opportunities for learning on the job for lecturers. The TVET College affords opportunities for participation in authentic work activities through which lecturers can develop knowledge and understanding of the practices which are relevant and applicable to their particular work context. It is also evident that guidance and support from peers and more senior colleagues are available to lecturers, both less and more experienced. Practices which could become elements of a strategy for co-participation and learning through work do exist at The TVET College. However, there are also limitations and it cannot be argued that intentional strategies for learning exist at The TVET College which can be seen as aspects of workplace pedagogy and workplace curriculum. Finally it is clear that TVET colleges are seen primarily as sites of learning for students; there is little focus on TVET colleges as sites for workplace learning for lecturers. This is an under-researched area in the policy and academic literature on TVET colleges and it is hoped that this study has made a contribution, even if a small one, to filling this gap.

Thesis (M.Dev. ( Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Motivation has been said to be a major factor in determining student academic performance, and in this study the researcher aimed to investigate the effects of motivation on National Curriculum Vocational (NCV) students‟ academic performance at Capricorn TVET College. Due to the nature of the study the researcher used mixed research methods to collect data. The research findings revealed that motivation has an effect on students‟ academic performance such that lack of motivation has been identified as a major factor that contributes to poor academic performance among NCV students. Lack of lecturer motivation, inadequate Learning, Teaching and Support Materials (LTSM), lack of practical work were also identified as factors that can hinder NCV students‟ motivation. The results also revealed that positive college culture and positive student competition as well as giving of rewards or incentives to students are the most effective motivational strategies to enhance students‟ motivation and can assist in keeping students motivated. The study also determined that it would be beneficial if lecturers use those strategies to motivate students. Alternative sustainable motivational strategies are essential in order to keep students motivated and for them to be able to perform well academically.

The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in South Africa has undergone transformation. This includes the introduction of the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC (V)]. The literature on curriculum development and on the TVET college sector in South Africa informed a qualitative inquiry into the lecturers’ experiences of the implementation of the NC (V). The research site was the Tshwane South TVET College, Gauteng Province. Data were gathered by means of individual and focus group interviews with the Campus Manager, four Divisional Heads, and seven lecturers, selected by means of purposeful sampling. The findings were organised around the following key themes, namely the limited participation of the lecturers in curriculum design, the effectiveness of curriculum dissemination, the lecturers’ participation in curriculum review, their perceptions of the NC(V) entry level requirements, the NC(V)’s positioning on the NQF, assessment in the NC(V), the fit between the lecturers’ qualifications and the curriculum, the lecturers’ capacity-building, and finally, their perceptions of the involvement of the industry in the NC(V). / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Comparative Education)

The research focused on the relationship between hardiness and career adaptability of students studying at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in Gauteng. A quantitative survey was conducted on a convenience sample of (N = 198) of African (92.9%), female (57.6%), single (96.0%), aged 21 years and younger (93.9%) students enrolled at Gauteng TVET colleges for N1 – N6 Engineering Studies (32.8%). A correlational analysis indicated differences between the variables of hardiness and career adaptability and the study reveals that overall hardiness was significantly related to overall career adaptability. A stepwise regression analysis indicated that gender and the hardiness attributes (commitment, control and challenge) predicted career adaptability. The test for significant mean differences indicated that age, gender and field of study differ significantly between the variables of hardiness and career adaptability. Limitations for the study are outlined. Furthermore, recommendations are suggested for use by human resource regarding career development practices for TVET college students. The study concludes with an evaluation of its contribution. / Human Resource Management / M. Com. (Human Resource Management)

Considering that Mpumalanga province has a large petrochemical plant owned by a multinational company that runs and owns mines, the province should abound with employment opportunities for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates, especially those from the local Gert Sibande TVET College. However, students with TVET college qualifications struggle to attract employment. Therefore, this study explored the question, “What can TVET providers in Mpumalanga do to enhance students’ employability?” The research was conducted in a selected TVET college in the province. The study employed a qualitative approach and an interpretive paradigm. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The identities of all respondents were protected. Upon analysis of the results, several measures that the TVET college, stakeholders and employers could employ, emerged. There was a lack of proper skills for graduates, qualifications without relevance and employers hardly acknowledging the TVET college qualifications. Some of the recommendations made include collaboration, relationship building between stakeholders and revision of the National Certificate (Vocational) [NC-(V)] curriculum. Topics for future research are also suggested. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The results of mathematics level 3 have always been a problem at TVET colleges as this hampers the certification rate and the progress of the students to level 4. Students who did not do well in the current subject are not allowed to register that subject in the following level. Even though the students are allowed to progress to level 4 they won’t be certificated for both levels until they pass the remaining subject. The above challenges made the researcher to check during the marking and moderation of November / December examination the course of poor results for mathematics level 3. In the process of checking the researcher discovered that rectangular hyperbola is one of the topics that the students of mathematics level 3 are struggling with. This study therefore focuses on exploring the challenges faced by TVET Level 3 NCV students in understanding the hyperbolic function in mathematics. In addition to the literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative approach and involving semi-structured interviews with the students of a TVET college in North West was conducted to collect data. The analysis of documents relevant to the study was also used as the other method. The study used participatory action research, where the researcher, collaborators and students work alongside each other to collect data and to improve practice and follow the spiral pattern of reflection, analysing the results and adapting the action. The research design and methodology was qualitative. This helped the researcher to understand the challenges students faced in the learning of rectangular hyperbola and also came up with ways to minimise those challenges. The data collection methods used was interviewing using semi-structured questions, pre-test and post-tests. During data collection different interventions (IN1 –IN3) was used depending on the understanding of the students. For ethical consideration, ethical clearance was obtained from UNISA. DHET, the principal of the college, collaborators, parents and students will also give written consent on forms which will be sent out explaining what we envisage. Since research was voluntary, an explanation was given that this was not compulsory and that participation was completely voluntary and that they could withdraw at any time. In this study, various methods to empower students were recommended. Recommendations are also made on what was found in this study, as are recommendations for further study. / Mathematics Education / M. Ed. (Mathematics Education)

The aim of this study was to investigate how the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) curriculum is being managed at Majuba TVET College in ensuring that it impacts positively in addressing skills shortage in the Newcastle area. The following was the main question for the study: How is Majuba TVET College managing the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) curriculum in addressing skills shortage in the Newcastle area? A comprehensive literature review was conducted to provide strong arguments as presented by different authors who wrote on the topic after conducting research about Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges A qualitative method was chosen by the researcher to gather data on the management of the NCV curriculum in addressing skills shortage. The main aim was to discuss the methods the researcher used in the study to collect data meant to acquire the impact of the NCV curriculum management in addressing skills shortage. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, non-participant observation and literature review. It was then put together and analysed according to themes aligned to the main study problem and the sub problems in order to realise the main aim of the study and the sub-aims. On the basis of the findings and the recommendations, the researcher proposed the importance of the college to review the NCV curriculum so that it is aligned with practical exposure enhanced by NCV students from the industry. In conclusion, the findings pointed out that NCV students’ practical exposure may have a big impact in addressing skills shortage and combating the high unemployment rate in the Newcastle area. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)