A pilot investigation of the potential impact of implementing the National Qualifications Framework in industry as perceived by organisations, unions and industry training boards.
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Date
1997
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Abstract
South Africa is facing increasing competition as it becomes a more active
participant in the "global village". The current South African skills base is
inadequate and existing education and training structures are doing little to ensure
a high degree of flexibility and multi-skilling. In addition, many people have
acquired skills which are not recognised by traditional, formal learning institutions.
Future workforces will require a high degree of flexibility and multiple skills in
order to keep abreast of the fast changing workplace and technological
innovations.
Furthermore, vocational training is often perceived as less valuable than an
academic education qualification.
It is these, and other issues which stimulated some debate around the
transformation of education and training in South Africa. The recommended
structure to guide this transformation is a national qualifications framework. The
National Qualifications Framework (NQF) will form a backdrop for recognition of
and awarding of qualifications. The Framework aims to integrate vocational and
academic qualifications and maintain internationally comparative standards.
This study focusses on the impact the introduction of the Framework is likely to
have on industry. It was discovered that on the whole, organisations, unions and
industry training boards are in agreement about the need for such a structure and
the potential benefits thereof. However, most retain some reservations about the
implementation process and the practical considerations of time and money are
hindering the full acceptance of the Framework. While the process is in its infancy
in many industries, certain other industries are rather well established in the
process of implementation. The Framework is far from finalised, and even once
fully implemented, will require ongoing maintenance and adaptation. For this
reason most participants in this discussion indicated varying degrees of
reservation about the overall success of the National Qualifications Framework.
Description
Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, 1997.
Keywords
Education And State--South Africa., Vocational qualifications--South Africa., Vocational education--South Africa., Theses--Industrial, organisational and labour studies., National Qualifications Framework (South Africa), Occupational training--South Africa., Manpower planning--South Africa., Competency-based education--South Africa.