The purpose of this study was to construct a career meta-competency model for sustained employability in the contemporary world of work. This study explored a convenience sample (N = 304) of early career employees’ personality preferences (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), self-esteem (measured by the Culture-free Self-esteem Inventories for Adults) and emotional intelligence (measured by the Assessing Emotions Scale), as a composite set of their personality attributes, in relation to their employability attributes (measured by the Employability Attributes Scale). The participants comprised 81% blacks and 64% females employed in the business management field in managerial/supervisory (53%) and staff (28%) level positions. Their ages ranged between 25 and 40 years (early adulthood and establishment phase) (79%). The correlations, canonical correlations and multiple regression results indicated that the participants’ personality attributes were significantly and positively related to their employability attributes. Structural Equation Modelling indicated a moderate fit between the theoretically hypothesised career meta-competency model and the empirically tested structural model. The results indicated job level as a significant moderator of the relationship between the participants’ personality and employability attributes. Middle management level was associated with an inverse relationship between the personality and employability attributes. Staff and middle managers did not significantly differ regarding their mean scores on these variables. On a theoretical level, the study deepened understanding of the cognitive, affective, conative and interpersonal behavioural dimensions of the hypothesised career meta-competency model. On an empirical level, the study produced an empirically tested career meta-competency model in terms of the various behavioural dimensions. On a practical level, career v counselling and development interventions for guiding employees’ sustained employability in terms of the career meta-competency behavioural dimensions were recommended. / Industrial & Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The career counselling services industry is currently being challenged by a unique set of conditions which has resulted in calls for a greater client orientation in the delivery of career services. The current study takes up this challenge by using marketing concepts to explore the relationship between the expectations (desired) people in career transition have of a career counselling service and the perceptions career counselling service providers have of client expectations. In the process, it also examines variables (career transition group membership, career decision-making self-efficacy, age, gender, and previous experience with a career counselling service) that may impact on the expectations people in career transition have of a career counselling service. The study used a three-phased mixed method approach to gather expectation and perception data. In Phase 1, focus group interviews were conducted with participants from three career transition groups - Year 12 students, final year university students, and adults in midcareer transition. A series of one-to-one interviews with three groups of career counsellors (those in schools, tertiary institutions, and private practice) was undertaken in Phase 2. Phase 3 consisted of a questionnaire, which was administered to broader populations of people in career transition and career counsellors. The people in career transition subject group completed a three-part questionnaire consisting of the Expectations About Career Counselling measure (developed by the researcher), the Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy-Short Form (an existing measure), and demographic questions. Career counsellors completed a two-part questionnaire, which included the Expectations About Career Counselling (EACC) and demographic questions. The people in career transition subject group were asked to respond to the EACC according to what they wanted from a career counselling service. Career counsellors were asked to respond to the same measure as if they were one of their clients attending their first career counselling interview. In the development of the EACC, an existing measure (the Expectations About Counselling-Brief Form; Tinsley, 1982), was modified using career counselling expectation themes derived from the analysis of data collected in Phases 1 and 2. Factor analysis of the data obtained from the EACC identified four clear factors. These factors were named Career Counsellor Responsibility, Client Responsibility, Quality Outcome and Realism. The findings from Phase 3 indicated that people in career transition had high to very high expectations for the EACC subscales Career Counsellor Responsibility and Quality Outcome, moderate expectations for Realism, and moderate to high expectations for Client Responsibility. Significant differences were found based on transition group membership, gender, age, and previous experience with a career counselling service. In addition, it was found that people in career transition had moderate to high career decision-making self-efficacy and that respondents with higher self-efficacy scores also had higher expectations of a career counselling service. The findings also indicated that there was a significant difference or gap between the expectations of people in career transition and the perceptions of career counsellors concerning client expectations of career counselling. Career counsellors perceived that clients were less committed and more unrealistic about the career counselling process and the counsellor's role than was indicated by the results from the people in career transition subject group. Recommendations based on the findings of this research study were made for career counsellors, professional associations, education and training organisations, education institutions and systems and government policy makers. Specifically, the recommendations addressed the importance of acknowledging, clarifying, and managing client expectations, providing interventions to educate people in career transition about the career decision-making process and the role of the career counsellor, and the implementation of processes to promote ongoing professional development in the career counselling services industry.

The purpose of this study was to construct a career meta-competency model for sustained employability in the contemporary world of work. This study explored a convenience sample (N = 304) of early career employees’ personality preferences (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), self-esteem (measured by the Culture-free Self-esteem Inventories for Adults) and emotional intelligence (measured by the Assessing Emotions Scale), as a composite set of their personality attributes, in relation to their employability attributes (measured by the Employability Attributes Scale). The participants comprised 81% blacks and 64% females employed in the business management field in managerial/supervisory (53%) and staff (28%) level positions. Their ages ranged between 25 and 40 years (early adulthood and establishment phase) (79%). The correlations, canonical correlations and multiple regression results indicated that the participants’ personality attributes were significantly and positively related to their employability attributes. Structural Equation Modelling indicated a moderate fit between the theoretically hypothesised career meta-competency model and the empirically tested structural model. The results indicated job level as a significant moderator of the relationship between the participants’ personality and employability attributes. Middle management level was associated with an inverse relationship between the personality and employability attributes. Staff and middle managers did not significantly differ regarding their mean scores on these variables. On a theoretical level, the study deepened understanding of the cognitive, affective, conative and interpersonal behavioural dimensions of the hypothesised career meta-competency model. On an empirical level, the study produced an empirically tested career meta-competency model in terms of the various behavioural dimensions. On a practical level, career v counselling and development interventions for guiding employees’ sustained employability in terms of the career meta-competency behavioural dimensions were recommended. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Text in Afrikaans / Die doel van die onderhawige studie is onder meer om loopbaanorientering aan die tersiere student (BSc Agric) teoreties te fundeer. 'n Uitgebreide Europese studiereis is ondemeem met die doel om bestaande loopbaanorienteringsprogramme aan tersiere instansies, veral universiteite, te ondersoek en die effektiwiteit daarvan te evalueer ten einde voortreflikhede te implementeer. In hierdie studie word die loopbaanorienteringsprogram vir BSc (Agric)studente aan die Universiteit van Pretoria wat reeds in 1994 ontwerp en ge'implementeer is, beskryf sowel as die behoeftepeiling wat onder BSc (Agric)-studente (voor en na die implementering van die program), en vennote in die landboubedryf gedoen is. 'n Verdere doel met die studie is om 'n wetenskaplik verantwoorde loopbaanorienteringsverrykingsprogram vir BSc (Agric)-studente aan die Universiteit van Pretoria te begrond, te ontwerp, die implementering daarvan te beskryf en die resultate daarvan te evalueer. Daar is gepoog om beide loopbaanontwikkelings- en studente-ontwikkelingsteoriee te beskryf en uit te le as fundering vir 'n verantwoorde loopbaanorienteringsverrykingsprogram vir tersiere studente. 'n Oorsig en perspektief is gebied op bestaande loopbaanorienteringsprogramme en -inisiatiewe in 'n intemasionale, nasionale en plaaslike konteks. Die verskynsel van die snelveranderende wereld-van-werk is literatuurmatig gepresiseer en die implikasies uitgewys vir die opleiding van en loopbaanorientering aan die student in die Landbouwetenskap. 'n Behoeftepeiling van loopbaan (en lewens-)kundighedeen vaardighede waaroor graduandi moet beskik is gedoen onder BSc (Agric)-studente (v66r en mi programimplementering) en onder vennote in die landboubedryf. Die ontwikkeling, beslaggewing en ,evaluering van 'n loopbaanorienteringsverrykingsprogram vir BSc (Agric)-studente is beskryf en toegelig. 'n Samevatting van die studie is gegee met enkele gemotiveerde aanbevelings wat uit die navorsing voortvloei. Voorstelle is gemaak vir die inisiering van 'n loopbaansentrum vir studente van die Universiteit van Pretoria. / The aim of this study is amongst others to lay the theoretical foundation of career orientation for BSc (Agric)-students. An extensive European study tour was undertaken with the aim of investigating and evaluating existing career orientation programmes and/or student enrichment endeavours at the various tertiary institutions especially universities. The effectiveness of these programmes was evaluated with the aim of utilizing and implementing aspects of them. In this study the career orientation enrichment programme for BSc (Agric)-students that was already designed and implemented at the University of Pretoria in 1994, is described. The needs of the BSc (Agric)-students before and after the implementation of this programme were determined as well as those of the partners in the agricultural industry. Another aim of this study is to describe the foundation, design and implementation of a scientific, accountable career orientation enrichment programme for BSc (Agric)-students at the University of Pretoria and to evaluate the outcome thereof. The various career development and student development theories are elucidated and described as a foundation for an accountable career orientation enrichment programme for tertiary students. An overview is given of career orientation programmes and initiatives in an international, national and local context. The phenomenon of the fast changing world-ofwork is described and defined more precisely through a literature study with reference to the implications for the training of and career orientation regarding the student in the Science of Agriculture. An investigation was done of the career (and life-) skills that graduates have to attain. The needs and views of BSc (Agric)-students (before and after the programme implementation) and partners in the agricultural industry were extracted. A summary is given of the arguments put forward in this thesis together with some recommendations that have emerged from this research. Proposals are made for the initiation of a career centre for students at the University of Pretoria. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Sielkundige Opvoedkunde)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-05-16Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:46:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lara_r_dr_fran.pdf: 1194839 bytes, checksum: 64fd8b6944220f780b4ea300ab837aea (MD5) / Na bibliografia recente das ciências sociais e humanas, o mundo do trabalho é intensamente investigado por pesquisadores das mais diversas áreas do conhecimento. Nas pesquisas, ganham destaques os estudos sobre a terceirização e a subcontratação, a precarização do trabalho, as inovações tecnológicas, o desemprego estrutural e as demais refrações da crise de acumulação do capital que acentuam, sobremaneira, as expressões da “questão social”. O Serviço Social com seus programas de pós-graduação, núcleos de pesquisas e, respectivamente, seus meios de publicitação de conhecimentos apresentam significativas investigações referente à temática, que absorve expressiva relevância na produção teórica da área a partir de 1990. O mundo do trabalho é uma temática ampla e complexa que pressupõe opções teóricas e políticas acerca de aspectos a serem abordados num estudo científico, principalmente em razão de os estudos sobre o tema terem as mais variadas abordagens. Nesta tese, o objetivo é analisar a produção teórica do Serviço Social sobre o mundo do trabalho no período de 1996 a 2006, com ênfase nas principais temáticas e tendências das investigações dos assistentes sociais. O material de pesquisa são os artigos das revistas Serviço Social e Sociedade, Debates Sociais, Serviço Social e Realidade e Praia Vermelha. A pesquisa é de caráter bibliográfico com a técnica de análise temática e apóia-se no pressuposto de que a produção do conhecimento torna-se relevante quando tem como meta a busca de explicações das contradições da realidade social. A preocupação central da pesquisa foram as investigações dos assistentes sociais sobre o mundo do trabalho, mas, no desenvolvimento, surgiram vários questionamentos que nos levaram a interrogar a objetividade da pesquisa e da produção do conhecimento no Serviço Social; protestar... / In the recent bibliography of social and human sciences, the world of work intensely is investigated by researchers of diverse areas of the knowledge. In the research, the studies gain prominences on the subcontractating, precarious work, the technological innovations, the structural unemployment and too much refractions of the crisis of accumulation of the capital that they accent, excessively, the expressions of the “social matters”. The Social Work with it’s programs of pos-graduation, centers of research and, respectively, it’s ways of to return public of knowledge presents significant inquiries referring to the thematic, that it absorbs expressive relevance in the theoretical production of the area from 1990.The world of the work is ample thematic and a complex one that estimates theoretical options and politics concerning aspects to be discussed in a scientific study, mainly in reason of the studies on the subject to have the most varied discussions. In this thesis, the object is to analyze the theoretical production of the social work on the world of work in the period of 1996 to 2006,with emphasis in the main thematic ones and trends of the inquiries of the social assistants the material of research are the articles from the magazines Serviço Social e Sociedade, Debates Sociais, Serviço Social e Realidade e Praia Vermelha. The character of the research is bibliographical one with the thematic analysis technical’s and is supported in the idea that the production of the knowledge becomes relevant when the object of the searching of explanations for the contradictions of the social reality. The central concern of the research had been the inquiries of the social assistants on the world of work, then the development, some questionings had appeared that had taken us to interrogate the real object of the research and the production of the knowledge...(Complete abstract, click electronic access below)

The South African education system has experienced a paradigm shift from content-based education towards an outcomes-based education. The focus of outcomes-based education is a learner-centred approach. The criteria that learners should adhere to at the end of their school career are that they should be productive, successful lifelong learners. To achieve these criteria, learners should be able to maximise their own potential. The world of work requires learners to easily adapt and function effectively in groups and to have the ability to achieve the set criteria. This means that the world of work demands productive, critical, independent learners who are able to express themselves and communicate effectively within social situations. The question that arises is whether learners within the South African context have the ability to create opportunities to claim ownership and take responsibility for their own learning. The focus of this research is therefore on the role of maximising human potential as determined by the need of South African learners to be empowered and well prepared for the demands of the world of work. The literature pertaining to the nature, phenomenon and process of maximising of human potential is briefly examined and the fundamentals are identified. Maximising of human potential is contextualised as a component of the educational phenomenon. An observation study of two classgroups consisting of grade 8 and grade 10 learners respectively from the same school was undertaken in order to identify and determine whether learners within a realistic, diverse school setting are capable of maximising their own potential. Profiles were compiled to underline the socio-economic background of each learner and to serve as a mechanism to indicate and underline diversity in the classroom. Interviews with teachers and learners served as cross-validation of these results. The results revealed that learners from the school were demotivated with regard to maximising their potential. As a qualitative study, the final results indicated trends that may be generalised to similar classrooms. The phenomenon of maximising of human potential is based on the principle of outcomes-based education and should be the focus of learning in every classroom. Guidelines and models for a facilitator training programme in maximising human potential are suggested. The findings of the study indicate that by virtue of the fact that the teaching and learning process is to be approached from a new angle, teachers first need to have a changed perspective or execute a philosophical leap before they are able to maximise the potential of learners in the classroom. Recommendations for the future include, amongst others, that the teacher should be seen as a facilitator of opportunities for learner contributions; that because of the new and exciting demands made on the teacher by this approach, knowledge and expertise regarding maximising of human potential as didactic practice should be made available; that a longitudinal observation study of teachers who received such training, and their pupils, is undertaken as a follow-up study in order to evaluate the results of the training; and that further research is undertaken locally as well as in other countries where the maximising of human potential in language as learning phenomenon is already being practiced. / Dissertation (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Curriculum Studies / unrestricted

One of the challenges imposed by the 21st century is to retain talented staff by keeping employees engaged in their work. Engagement in itself is a complex construct, which still requires much clarification. One of the gaps in the literature is the link between engagement and the competencies required by individuals to craft a career in the 21st century. These competencies are referred to as psychological career resources (Coetzee, 2008). This study was conducted in a medium-sized South African software and services organisation using a random sample of 111 consultants. The primary objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between psychological career resources (career preferences, career values, career enablers, career drivers and career harmonisers) and engagement (dedication, vigour and absorption). The second and third objectives were to find whether there were any significant differences between individuals who differed as to gender, age, marital status, occupational field, occupational level and department in which employed with regard to engagement and psychological career resources. A further objective was to establish the dominant psychological career resources and engagement constructs of the consultants in the sample. The data was collected using the 9-item U-WES (Utrecht Work Engagement Scale) and the PCRI (Psychological Career Resources Inventory). The study found that behavioural adaptability and self-esteem have a significant impact on vigour and dedication, while behavioural adaptability also has a significant impact on absorption. This study could contribute meaningful information to the field of well-being and career development, allowing professionals to assist individuals in developing career competencies that contribute to engagement and ultimately to well-being. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Human Resource Management / unrestricted

The general aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the graduateness, employability and satisfaction with retention factors of individuals and whether graduateness moderates the relationship between employability and satisfaction. The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional research design on a purposive, non-probability sample (N = 100) of predominant black (93%), male (49%) and female (51%) trainees between the ages of 17-29 years (early career). Presenting/applying information skills significantly and negatively predicted compensation while ethical/responsible behaviour significantly and positively predicted satisfaction with job characteristics and organisational commitment. Graduateness related positively to self-perceived general employability. General employability did not significantly predict the participants’ satisfaction with retention factors. Graduate skills and attributes did not significantly moderate the relationship between self-perceived employability and satisfaction with retention factors. Males had significantly stronger perceptions of employability compared to females while females had higher levels of work–life balance satisfaction compared to males. Overall, the results suggest that general self-perceived employability is more a function of graduateness than of retention, while graduateness positively relates to retention factors. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The general aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the graduateness, employability and satisfaction with retention factors of individuals and whether graduateness moderates the relationship between employability and satisfaction. The study used a quantitative, cross-sectional research design on a purposive, non-probability sample (N = 100) of predominant black (93%), male (49%) and female (51%) trainees between the ages of 17-29 years (early career). Presenting/applying information skills significantly and negatively predicted compensation while ethical/responsible behaviour significantly and positively predicted satisfaction with job characteristics and organisational commitment. Graduateness related positively to self-perceived general employability. General employability did not significantly predict the participants’ satisfaction with retention factors. Graduate skills and attributes did not significantly moderate the relationship between self-perceived employability and satisfaction with retention factors. Males had significantly stronger perceptions of employability compared to females while females had higher levels of work–life balance satisfaction compared to males. Overall, the results suggest that general self-perceived employability is more a function of graduateness than of retention, while graduateness positively relates to retention factors. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

VIEIRA, Gina Maria Porto de Aguiar. PROEJA: análise acerca das potencialidades de inclusão sociolaboral de seus alunos. 2011. 171 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Educação) – Universidade Federal do Ceará. Faculdade de Educação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação Brasileira, Fortaleza-CE, 2011. / Submitted by Raul Oliveira (raulcmo@hotmail.com) on 2012-07-04T16:42:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_Dis_GMPAguiar.pdf: 1697675 bytes, checksum: 6e05443f7a77f86b354a872e5b4e17f3 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Josineide Góis(josineide@ufc.br) on 2012-07-18T15:05:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_Dis_GMPAguiar.pdf: 1697675 bytes, checksum: 6e05443f7a77f86b354a872e5b4e17f3 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-07-18T15:05:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_Dis_GMPAguiar.pdf: 1697675 bytes, checksum: 6e05443f7a77f86b354a872e5b4e17f3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O objetivo desta dissertação é analisar as potencialidades de inclusão sociolaboral dos alunos do Programa Nacional de Integração da Educação Profissional com a Educação Básica na Modalidade de Jovens e Adultos (PROEJA) em decorrência das atuais exigências por certificações profissionais de formação contínua. Especificamente, este trabalho buscou conhecer o processo de reestruturação da produção e as transformações que se sucederam no mundo do trabalho no século XX; apresentar a educação de jovens e adultos no cenário sociopolítico brasileiro; e discutir, com base na Teoria do Capital Humano, a trajetória da inter-relação entre educação, trabalho e inclusão sociolaboral. Com esta finalidade, a pesquisa empírica, do tipo exploratória e descritiva, analisa o seguinte: a) os sujeitos que participarão dessa reintegração educacional serão certificados de modo a atender a demanda de um mercado em constante mutação; b) o propósito da inclusão dos sujeitos, como cidadãos, está inserido de forma a contemplar as exigências do mercado no perfil traçado para sua formação; c) se tais sujeitos estarão aptos a se inserir de forma participativa, coletiva e integrada no mundo. O método de estudo de caso está fundado na análise intensiva do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Ceará (IFCE). O procedimento metodológico da investigação decorreu de modo sequencial entre 2008 e 2010 e se realizou em três tempos e formas: pesquisa bibliográfica, documental e de campo, subsidiadas pelas técnicas de grupo focal e de entrevistas semiestruturas junto aos alunos do IFCE. A análise das falas dos participantes permitiu classificá-los em quatro categorias: PROEJA (44,88%), inclusão sociolaboral (12,87%), mercado de trabalho (21,78%) e certificação (20,46%). Os resultados elucidaram o descompasso entre as intencionalidades educacionais, manifestadas nos documentos que instituem o PROEJA, e a sua efetivação real. Observou-se nas análises das categorias emergidas dos discursos dos alunos, bem como das refutações das questões de partida, que o programa não se constitui na forma que se propôs pelos documentos legais. A pesquisa identificou que o IFCE apresenta dificuldades estruturais na condução do programa, apesar das tentativas individuais de alguns professores, os saberes são transmitidos de forma compartimentalizada, obtendo pouca integração entre teoria e prática, aulas teóricas e atividades de produção. Diante desse cenário, verificou-se que as potencialidades de inclusão sociolaboral dos alunos do PROEJA se inserem em um processo de formação profissional complexo que envolve situações adversas, não visualizando de forma efetiva a formação integral. O contexto social, econômico e político em que se propõe uma formação humana integrada à técnica, com objetivo de formar cidadãos partícipes para a sociedade, suscita sujeitos que acompanhem as rápidas mudanças científicas e tecnológicas que configuram as relações sociais e laborais, resultando, assim, em necessidade crescente de adaptação à dinâmica do mercado de trabalho, o que procede em falta de conexão entre educação e trabalho e consequente entrada no mercado de trabalho. Para que o PROEJA se concretize como política pública que visa promover a inclusão sociolaboral de jovens e adultos trabalhadores, é necessário que o sistema educacional, de fato, prepare os sujeitos na concepção de formação integral, sem segmentação, para que possam estar no mundo e nele participar social, política e economicamente.