This longitudinal study on the transition from school to work of a group of Indian school-leavers from two co-educational schools in Durban is an attempt to analyse the processes underlying the construction of educational and career routes. It deals with the lived experiences of boys and girls from different social-class backgrounds within the school, the family, and the work situation. This passage from school to work, which also includes the experiences of unemployment, is examined against the background of social interactions in micro settings, as well as the influences of social, structural and cultural forces. In particular, the career pathways are studied within the context of the cultural background of Indians, and their socio-historical location in the South African society as a minority and an intermediate status group in a racially-divided society. As the students proceeded through the last three years at school and into the first few months of work various qualitative, field research methods were used to get some insight into the changing and complex nature of the transitional process. These methods included participant observation, focus sed and unfocussed interviews, and discussions. Such qualitative research methods were valuable for an understanding' of the meanings and values on which the students' actions were based. The structural and interpretive analysis of the family, the school, the labour market, and a patriarchal, capitalist, apartheid society points to the significance of ideological values, hegemony, class relations, racial, gender, and political and economic influences on the construction of educational and career identities. The analysis also indicates the close relationship which exists on the one hand between the cultural interpretations and practices of various social actors; and on the other hand, the structural conditions in which these are located. The findings provide some account of how social-class relations are continued and sustained via related and different inequalities such as race and gender. Race, class and gender exist side by side in this reproduction process. By focussing on the close relationship which exists between the actions and decisions of the students, and the structures of society, this study attempts to bridge the gap between structural and interpretive explanations. The students' interpretations of their educational and career choices are brought into a closer relationship with the structures of society. / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1988.

Abstract not available. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, 1968.

The problem investigated within this research is how an organisation can overcome its skills gaps, whilst ensuring national and international recognition of those skills, and contribute to an increase of skills nationally. This problem is addressed through the formulation of competencies. The eclectic approach forms the theoretical paradigm of the studies. The methodology used for the formulation of competencies is an adaptation of Spencer and Spencer's (1993) classic competency study model. Competencies formulated are aligned with the latest developments within the South African vocational qualification system and incorporate elements of the behaviourist approach. The study is conducted in an international food manufacturing company. The target population consists of male Zulu-speaking workers. Education levels established through assessments indicate that the population is situated at an adult basic education level of four, the equivalent of a grade nine within the formal schooling system. Demographics show that workers have on average more than two years' experience within their current job roles and their mean age is forty years, an indication of their experience within the manufacturing environment. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

Thesis (MTech (Education))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / In 1998 the Department of Labour launched a skills revolution in the South African workplace. The Skills Development Act of 1998 introduced the 'Learnership' model of workplace training, which has been promoted as a creative vehicle for addressing high unemployment rates and a serious skills shortage. The Act proposed a very ambitious new framework through the creation of a new institutional regime with strong links forged between learners, employers, govemment and the new intermediary training bodies, SETAs. This new institutional mechanism for delivering training was termed 'Learnerships'. This dissertation explores the perceptions of the staff of two FET colleges around the Fitting and Turning learnership in which they are involved, with a particular focus on their roles and responsibilities in managing the Fitting and Turning learnership. Their perceptions were ascertained through a structured interview process. A framework of understanding was established by examining the stakeholders' roles and responsibilities; learnership accreditation e.g., SETA training policies, physical and human resources, bUdget and finance; structured learning and assessment e.g. logbooks, continuous assessment and work relevant training, partnerships with industry and other skills programmes; the learner monitoring process e.g. administration system, quality management, learner support, recruitment and selection, throughput rate and communication; and limitations and recommendations to improve the management of learnerships.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Management Sciences (Marketing), Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Marketing higher education is a growing field of expertise in many developing countries. However, little research has been done on marketing Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges in South Africa. Evidence suggests that it may suffer from a lack of expertise to provide direction to the practical aspects of marketing TVET Colleges. Most of the marketing practices of Higher Education are underdeveloped and lack a strategic focus when it comes to Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET). For TVET Colleges marketing communication plays an important role in students’ recruitment. The aim of this study is to analyse the influence of marketing communication towards students’ decisions to enrol at Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges (TVET). The objectives of this study is to determine factors that influence students in the selection of a TVET College. Additionally, the study strives to identify students’ perceptions towards TEVT Colleges, and investigate marketing communication practices that contributes toward improving students’ perceptions at TVET. The study was conducted in KwaZulu-Natal where the targeted TVET colleges are based. This is a quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional study conducted among a sample of 400 TVET College students. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The results of this study reveal the need for marketing communication in TVET Colleges to be addressed urgently in order to improve public perception and enrolment rates at TVET Colleges. Both students and TVET Colleges will benefit from the study because marketing and communication as a source of information will assist when selecting a college of choice. In addition, this will also assist TVET Colleges in the selection of appropriate marketing communication media to enable proper allocation of marketing budget and resources The findings of this study will then act as guidelines to determine a more appropriate marketing communication strategy to improve the public perceptions of TVET Colleges to make TVET Colleges a students’ first choice. / M

D.Ed. / You all know about population growth. When Oxford University was founded in the 13th Century there were about 500 million people in the world. When the Open University was set up there were 3 billion and when we celebrate our thirtieth anniversary at the end of this century there are likely to be 6 billion. To situate the same phenomenon ... in Africa you only have to note that in 1960 there were only three African cities with populations of over half a million. Now there are 28. In many countries population is increasing faster than gross national product. The conclusion is simple. By the next century the world will not possibly be able to train and educate its people by conventional means. We shall face the challenge of mega-education and mega-training. By the year 2000 half of the world's population will be less than 25 years old and half will live in the cities. In the developing world one third of the population will be under 14. The response to this challenge will determine the future of the world and we, as distance educators, have the nearest thing to a solution for educating and training the people of the 21st century" (Daniel, 1992:4). Seligman (1992:13) continues the above line of thought when he states: "We need a class of modern educators who are Ghandian in their commitments and concerns but who are at the same time highly modern in their technological competence and sophistication in the field of communication. This means they combine social sensitiveness with the technical capability to bend modern technology for a mass orientated education". The researcher in this study is therefore of the opinion that within the context of South African education, training and development of the workforce conventional training methodology as well as conventional delivery of programmes would futuristically not be appropriate if we consider the changing nature of local and global economies.

M.Ed. / Education in South Africa assumes that all learners should have access to effective teaching, so that inequalities can be eliminated and the skills of all learners be optimally developed. It is of cardinal importance that career guidance in schools attempt to maintain a balance between the technological demands of the world of work and the needs of each unique individual learner. Technology Education involves a radical change in the approach to education. It moves away from giving students a set body of knowledge, to a style of creating a wide range of learning activities. One such learning activity is problem-solving which teach learners to think for themselves and provides them with the skills and experiences in researching, designing and evaluating knowledge. Teachers become facilitators and work together with and help learners to reach successful outcomes and competencies. In recent research by the Curriculum 2005 Initiative (1997) in the field of career guidance, the emphasis has been placed on enabling learners to access career and other opportunities and to set goals which will enable them to make the best use of their full potential and talents. It is stated clearly that it has become imperative for education and the world of work to forge closer co-operation in order to prepare the learners for their future working lives and life-long learning prospects. The world of work changes from time to time. There is a need to continuously develop human resources to meet the demands of a growing economy and the needs of all people in the country. An effective career guidance programme is therefore essential in linking the needs of the country with the aspirations, abilities and skills of learners. The research in this study focuses primarily on career guidance in a technologically stimulating school environment. The secondary aims are to investigate the effectiveness of the career guidance teacher, the correlation between the possible influence of the career guidance teacher in grade 11 and 12, and the correlation between learners with Mathematics and Science and their study and career choices. A questionnaire with both open and closed questions was given to grade 12 learners to complete. The questionnaire was validated during a pilot study. The following interesting results were gathered: the aspects that mostly influenced the learner's subject, study and career choice are their interest and love for the subject; there is a correlation between the effectiveness of the guidance teacher and the teaching aids he or she uses in promoting careers; there is a positive correlation between the influence of the guidance teacher in grade 11 and his/her influence in grade 12. there is a correlation between learners with Mathematics and their eventual career choices. This study confirms the importance and influence of career guidance and highlights the reasons and choices which are made by learners regarding careers.

Thesis (Ph. D. (Language Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study investigates the challenges for an implementation of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at three FET Colleges in Limpopo Province. The implementation of RPL in the South African education system is seen as an essential tool to drive transformation in FET Colleges. RPL was designed to play a unique role in the provision of the higher level skills required to support the socio-economic growth and development of the nation. With all these good intentions, RPL is virtually non-existent in our public FET Colleges. This is a qualitative case study in which both exploratory and descriptive designs were used. Data was collected from observations, documents, interviews and questionnaires from the learners and educators. Twenty one learners and seven educators were interviewed. Questionnaires were distributed to nine educators. The purposive sampling method was used. The significant findings are that there are no RPL policy guidelines, no quality management systems, a shortage of accredited staff and equipment prescribed for RPL, and lack of management and leadership commitment to implementation of RPL. This study therefore recommends the urgent implementation of RPL in FET colleges to promote access and to urgently address the needed skills for the nation. The research also recommends an effective model on quality assurance which appears to be compromised in colleges. The research also recommends effective and efficient training of educators, as this study revealed that the educators have low academic qualifications. While the Ministerial Task Team on RPL recommends a holistic approach to implementation, this research recommends an effective training model for the FET educators to implement RPL.

The plight faced by unemployed rural communities in South Africa and particularly the women folks of Winterveldt does not differ much from other rural areas globally in terms of poverty and the need for development. In the light of this problem, the study attempted to answer the main research question guiding it, namely, what is the role of Vocational Education and Training programmes for unemployed women in Winterveldt? Few, if any, studies in South Africa have investigated how unemployed women with little formal education engage in Vocational Education and Training programmes for purposes of employment creation, environmental awareness and cultural preservation. This thesis presents three streams of Vocational Education and Training programmes that were introduced in Winterveldt, Pretoria, namely, the embroidery, vegetable gardens and beadwork. Using a multi-focal theoretical framework consisting of empowerment, human capital, feminism, and critical pedagogy theories, the study investigates whether the programmes reduced women’s vulnerability to poverty in post-apartheid South Africa. To carry out the investigation, the study employed a multiple case study research design based on an interpretive paradigm. In addition, the researcher using individual and focus group interviews, observations and document analysis was able to acquire qualitative data. The data were collected from 17 unemployed women, seven from embroidery stream, five from vegetable garden section and five from beadwork division as well as three coordinators. All the interviewees were selected purposively because they were deemed information rich with regard to the programmes of their studies. Data were analysed manually through hand coding that led to the emergence of the research findings. The research findings were categorised into various ideas that were eventually used to form the themes to this study. The research findings revealed the followings:  That all human beings have the capacity to realise their potential in their own way;  That women with little or no formal learning, usually go unnoticed in any systematic way;  That despite being unnoticed, women have achieved success by using their own hands and available resources to create artefacts or produce crops to turn their impoverished situation around; and  That Vocational Education and Training programmes serve as a primary livelihood strategy for unemployed women who had no alternative means of employment. In conclusion, the research findings are a reminder of the true African spirit that says; Rutang bana ditaola, le se ye natšo badimong, broadly translated as teach insights into the secrets of life to the young ones; you are not to take them with you when you depart to the land of ancestors. Finally, this study proposes a partnership framework as a formation that could enhance the performance of the women participants in the area of Winterveldt. The idea is that by sharing their knowledge and expertise the unemployed women who participate in the various community-based Vocational Education and Training programmes can achieve far better results than when they work in silos. / Educational Studies / Ph. D. (Education)

Thesis (Master of Education), University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities, School of Education, 2016 / Skills in South Africa are seen as essential for building the economy. This is why the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) sees developing a skills planning mechanism as important in the current context. The 2013 White Paper on the Post-School Education and Training System says that the function of skills planning should be centralized in DHET, with support from universities and/or other national research institutes. More specifically, DHET (2013) suggests that skills planning is required in the short, medium, and long term in order to shape the education system accordingly to meet the demand for skills. The literature on skills planning is full of debates on the kinds of skills planning that are possible in different contexts of economic and education systems. There are different notions of what skills planning is, how possible it is to predict skills demand, and how this should be done. There are also differences in ways in which economies are managed which have direct implications for skills planning. However imperfect, skills planning is needed as it provides an indication of what skills are needed to enable development in the country and provide guidance for the state to support initiatives. This study investigates the emerging skills planning mechanism in South Africa, the views of different stakeholders in this process and the projects that form part of skills planning. It argues that in the South African environment, skills planning has focused on the elements potentially needed to plan skills, however it is unclear how these elements will work together in a skills planning mechanism