Change management - the migration of Technical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) Colleges to Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). a case study based on a TVET College in KZN.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Change is an inevitable part of every organisation and cannot be ignored. This study investigated the effects of change management on employees’ attitudes towards change. Employees’ attitudes are important as they have a significant effect on resistance to change and the success of the change process. The study was based on a probability sample of 90 respondents from a population of 300 at ThekwiniTechnical Vocational and Education Training (TVET) College in KwaZulu- Natal, South Africa. Data were collected by means of a paper-based questionnaire. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used to analyse the primary data. The results of the analysis revealed a significant relationship between how change is managed and employees’ attitudes towards change. A prominent finding of this study is that management support, communication, an emphasis on teamwork; employee consultation and leadership style have a substantial bearing on employees’ attitudes towards change. The study also revealed that there is poor change management at Thekwini TVET College and this has a negative impact on employees’ attitudes towards change. Improved change management is recommended, particularly with respect to management support, communication, teamwork, employee consultation and leadership. If adopted, these recommendations will improve employees’ attitude towards change and make a positive contribution to successful change implementation within the organisation.