Nature and Dynamics of Industry-Based Workplace Learning for South African TVET Lecturers

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-108
Author(s):  
Andre van der Bijl ◽  
Vanessa Taylor

This article reports on the findings of an industry workplace experience project involving lecturers in South Africa's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, against the backdrop of new legislation and the realization that college lecturers' industry-related skills are in question. Its focus is on the nature of TVET lecturer industry-based workplace learning and the internal dynamics of its implementation in the college and employer systems. The article provides background on workplace-based learning for TVET lecturers and contrasts this form of workplace learning with forms used for students. After providing a critical analysis of methods used to theorize workplace-based learning, a model is employed to describe and analyse lecturers' experiences, with the aim of informing national and international knowledge and practice. The study supports the argument that workplace-based learning for TVET lecturers is not the same as for students. While students are exposed to workplaces to provide them with orientation and initial skills for future careers, workplace-based learning for lecturers is designed to improve knowledge development competencies. TVET lecturers undertake workplace-based learning to improve their knowledge of practice and so improve their theorization and teaching skills. The article points to the need for further research on and theorizing of industry-based workplace learning for lecturers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 83
Author(s):  
MacDonald Kanyangale ◽  
Reason Sibanda

The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the nature of the organisational architecture of a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) campus according to the perspectives of students in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Twenty-two students in a TVET campus were selected using purposive sampling and interviewed to collect data. Thematic analysis was used to deduce relevant themes. The results reveal that the organisational architecture of the TVET campus had a twin strategy of active learning and assessment-led teaching that was cardinal, but inadequate for the learning needs of students, and misaligned by unsupportive systems, distant and disconnected style of management to respond to student's problems, shortage of good lecturers and lack of critical resources. Predominantly, students who had already failed in their course were active in cultivating dropout behaviour and culture among peers. The absence of workplace learning by students was a significant gap in the organisational architecture. Critical changes in management style, systems, staff, resources, student peer relations, and reinforcement of workplace learning are imperative if the organisational architecture of the TVET campus is to be re-aligned and effective as a pathway to work for the South African youths.   Received: 19 August 2020 / Accepted: 25 October 2020 / Published: 17 January 2021


Author(s):  
Janet Judy McIntyre-Mills

This article is a thinking exercise to re-imagine some of the principles of a transformational vocational education and training (VET) approach underpinned by participatory democracy and governance, and is drawn from a longer work on an ABC of the principles that could be considered when discussing ways to transform VET for South African learners and teachers. The purpose of this article is to scope out the social, cultural, political, economic and environmental context of VET and to suggest some of the possible ingredients to inspire co-created design. Thus the article is just a set of ideas for possible consideration and as such it makes policy suggestions based on many ways of knowing rooted in a respect for self, others (including sentient beings) and the environment on which we depend. The notion of African Renaissance characterises the mission of a VET approach in South Africa that is accountable to this generation of living systems and the next.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Chinyere Ogbuanya ◽  
Taiwo Olabanji Shodipe

Purpose With critical reviews of previous studies in workplace learning, this paper aims to investigate workplace learning for pre-service teachers’ practice and quality teaching and learning in technical vocational education and training: key to professional development. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted multistage sampling technique to select sample for the study. Empirical analysis was adopted to analyse the data collected from technical vocational education and training pre-service teachers. Findings The result of the study revealed that the constructs of social learning theory had a stronger linkage with the constructive teaching than traditional management. Originality/value This study emphasizes the need to adequately train pre-service teachers on instructional delivery processes, building strong relationship with learners and build the ability to organize and execute necessary actions required to successfully carry out a specific educational task in a particular context.


2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Van der Bijl ◽  
Mark Lawrence

The National Certificate (Vocational) (NC(V)) was introduced into South Africa’s system of vocational training to ‘solve problems of poor quality programmes, lack of relevance to the economy, as well as low technical and cognitive skills of TVET [technical and vocational education and training] graduates’. The NC(V) did not, however, meet expectations, partially because of systemic difficulties. This article reports on research conducted among students who studied on the NC(V) Civil and Construction programme in an effort to identify appropriate corrections that could be made by college management. The research project made use of Tinto’s Student Integration Model to identify reasons for both student attrition and student persistence. The study provides information on the predicament facing TVET Civil and Construction students and has broad relevance for practitioners operating in higher and post-school education.


2015 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 602-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pilar Pineda-Herrero ◽  
Carla Quesada-Pallarès ◽  
Berta Espona-Barcons ◽  
Óscar Mas-Torelló

Purpose – Workplace learning (WL) is a key part of vocational education and training (VET) because it allows students to develop their skills in a work environment, and provides important information about how well VET studies prepare skilled workers. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop and validate an instrument to evaluate WL efficacy in VET. Design/methodology/approach – The research presented in this paper was based on a quantitative design, after having identified factors that influence training efficacy. The factors to evaluate transfer in WL (FET-WL) questionnaire was formed of 57 items (five-point Likert scale) and applied to a stratified probabilistic sample of 1,026 VET students in the Barcelona area (Spain). Findings – After conducting an exploratory factor analysis, the model explained 48.42 per cent of the variance and six factors merged: coherence of the training of the school with the WL, school tutor’s sole, host company tutor’s role, the possibilities of developing the WL, integration into the company and student’s motivation. Originality/value – Results show that the FET-WL may be a useful tool for the various agents involved in WL since it may improve the organization and management of VET and thereby increase its efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 2964-2967

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) plays a crucial role in promoting high-skilled workers in Malaysia. In order to establish and manage TVET, it is significant to revisit in the existing TVET system to make a greater impact to improve TVET ecosystem including governance and management, teacher training, curriculum and pedagogical, social partners, and innovation in TVET provision in the context of private and public engagement. This paper applied systematic review as a methodology. The results, show that TVET ecosystem and interventions need to be implemented in line with the need of 21st century ‘new economy’ skills and challenges will always appear in hindering the success of preparing future skills demand. Hence, this paper further discusses the issues and challenges faced by Malaysia in reforming TVET for the world of work. Additionally, this paper covers strategic planning and recommendations on TVET development that could be beneficial to Malaysia.


Author(s):  
Alexa Nicole Anthonie

This paper explores the South African Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector in relation to calls for decolonisation that have emanated from higher education institutions (universities) and basic education institutions (schools). Both the public and the academic community have echoed these institutions’ calls for transformation through protests and articles in academic journals and the popular media. Apart from two articles in the popular media the silence on decolonisation and TVET has been deafening. A key phrase during the #FeesMustFall protests was “the missing middle,” referring to those students who were too rich for NSFAS bursaries but too poor to afford university fees. I argue that the TVET sector is a different missing middle in that it is missing from debates about decolonising education in South Africa. Through a document analysis of TVET related legislation, I argue that it is too “high” for basic education and too “low” for higher education. By drawing on Jan Blommaert’s notion of “voice” and Gayatri Spivak’s notion of “the subaltern,” the paper considers why there has been such silence on decolonising the TVET sector.


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