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Career opportunities in sustainability-related fields

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The impact of the econom ic turndown in 2008, brought sustainability issues to the forefront of
public debate as the realities of climate change, and society’s response to it, gain higher
visibility. As a result, t he green economy is gaining global traction as it is evident i n South
African policy frameworks and investment. In this new environment, human or social capital is
fast becoming the foundation of sustainable businesses. The pursuit of green jobs is seen as a key
economic driver in the 21st century, creating a green pathway out of poverty. Shifting the
economy from business as usual to a low carbon, resource efficient, resilient and inclusive
sustainable economy will involve large scale investment in new technologies, equipment,
buildings, and infrastructure, research and development and skills training and could thus be a
major stimulus for much-needed employment (UNEP, 2008:3).

The focus of this to study is to investigate, career opportunities for graduates of the programme
in Sustainable Development, offered by the School of Public Leadership (SPL) at Stellenbosch
University. The question is asked if future careers in sustainability-related fields are secured for
these graduates. The problem statement was formulated to determine possible challenges that
graduates might face from advancing in their careers. I have aimed to address this problem by
exploring the prospects for employment in various sustainability-related fields. The re search
objectives are to: a) attain clarity regarding graduates` understanding and awareness of available
careers in sustainability-related fields; b) to investigate attempts, tools and processes through
which graduates could develop careers in the sustainability-related fields; and c) To confirm the
graduates` employment status, pre-and post-graduation. My study will aim to demonstrate that
more research needs to be conducted related to career guidance to prepare a new workforce, with
skills and career knowledge to enter career opportunities in green economy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die impak van die wêreld ressessie in 2008 het volhoubare ontwikkelingskwessies skerper na
vore gebring. Dit het die noodsaaklikheid van `n groen ekonomie verder beklemtoon. In hierdie
omgewing word menslike kapitaal belangriker vir be sighede wat wil oorskakel na die groen
ekonomie. Die soektog na groen werk word gesien as `n hoof ekonomiese aandrywer in the
twintigste eeu, wat `n uitweg uit armoede kan bied. Die skuif van `n huidige besigheidsmodel na
`n lae koolstof, effektiewe hulpbron gebruik, weerstandige en inklusiewe, volhoubare ekonomie
vereis `n besondere gro ot investering in nuwe tegnologie, toerusing, geboue, infrastruktuur,
navorsing en onwikkeling, en vaardigheidsopleiding. Hierdie beweging kan moontlik `n stimuli
wees vir broodnodige werkskepping (UNEP, 2008:3).

Hierdie studie ondersoek die onderlinge verband tussen die ontstaan en ontwikkeling van die
groen ekonomie in Suid Afrika en werksgeleenthede wat moontlik daaruit mag voortvloei vir
gegradueerdes van die program in volhoubare ontwikkeling by die Skool vir Publieke Leierskap
by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. Die vraag wat ek gestel het is of toekomstige beroepe in
volhoubare ontwikkelingsgebiede bestendig is vir hierdie gegradueerdes. Die probleemstelling
was geformuleer om die volgende navorsings doelstellings te ondersoek: a) gegradueerdes se
huidige en toekomstige beroeps verwagtinge, begrip en bewustheid van beskikbare beroepe in
volhoubare onwikkelings verbandte velde b) pogings, gereedskap, en metodes waarmee
gegradueerdes hulle beroepe in volhoubare ontwikkelings velde sou kon ontwikkel; en c) om
gegradueerdes se werksnemings status vas te stel voor en nadat gegraduering plaasgevind het.

My studie poog om te demonstreer dat meer navorsing gedoen moet word rakende beroeps
opleiding om so`n nuwe werksmag voor te berei met vaardighede en kennis wat hulle in staat stel
om werksgeleenthede in die groen ekonomie te kan betree.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:sun/oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/86577
Date04 1900
CreatorsHattingh, Elize
ContributorsSwilling, Mark, Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. School of Public Leadership.
PublisherStellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
Languageen_ZA
Detected LanguageUnknown
TypeThesis
Format158 p.
RightsStellenbosch University

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