Unveiling female students' experiences in engineering disciplines at a technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college = Ukwembula lokho abafundi besifazane abadlule kukho emkhakheni wobunjiniyela ekolishi lokuqeqesha amakhono (TVET)

Abstract

The engineering profession plays a crucial role in the economic and industrial development of South Africa. However, the country faces a critical shortage of engineers, exacerbated by the persistent underrepresentation of women in engineering disciplines. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges have been identified as vital to addressing these gaps by equipping students with the skills needed for the workforce. The purpose of this study was to explore and unveil female students' experiences in engineering disciplines at a technical and vocational education and training college. In constructing a suitable framework for this study, Schlossberg’s (1981) Transition Theory and Tinto’s (1987) Theory of Student Departure were used.Using a qualitative methodology, the study investigated barriers to female enrolment and retention, including cultural biases, lack of female role models, and systemic inequities. The findings highlight institutional practices that hinder gender inclusivity and explore the resilience of female students in navigating these challenges. The study also provides actionable recommendations to improve gender representation in engineering, such as enhancing pedagogical approaches, implementing targeted support programmes, and fostering an inclusive learning environment. The insights gained contribute to the broader discourse on gender equity in STEM fields and align with the objectives of the National Development Plan to cultivate a more diverse and skilled workforce. • Engineering Profession - A career field that involves the application of scientific principles to design, innovate, and maintain infrastructure and technology essential for societal development.• STEM Fields - Disciplines encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, critical for economic innovation and industrial growth. • TVET Colleges - Institutions providing technical and vocational education to equip students with practical skills for employment in various sectors, including engineering. • Retention Challenges - Factors contributing to female students leaving engineering programmes, including workplace discrimination, lack of mentorship, and institutional biases. • Pedagogical Approaches - Teaching methods and strategies employed to improve female student experiences and outcomes in engineering disciplines.

Iqoqa. • Umkhakha wobujiniyela ubamba iqhaza mayelana nokuthuthukisa iNingizimu Afrika kwezomnotho nazezimboni. Yize kunjalo, izwe lisajamelene nokushoda konjiniyela, okubhebhezelwa ukuqhubeka kokungamelelwa kwabesifazane kumkhakha wobunjiniyela. Ama-TVET njengezikhungo asehlonziwe ngokuthi abalulekile ukulungisa amagebe akhona ngokuhlomisa abafundi ngamakhono adingwa ukhalo lokusebenza. Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwabe ukuhlola kanye nokwembula impilo yezitshudeni zabesifazane mayelana nesifundo sobunjiniyela ekolishi lamakhono • Kusetshenziswa ikhwalithethivu njengendlela yokuqoqa ulwazi, ucwaningo luphenya izithiyo kubafundi besifazane kanye nokugcinwa kwabo kufaka ukubuka ngahlolinye ngenxa yosiko, ukuzaca kwabesifazane abayizibonelo kanye nohlelo lokungalingani. Okutholiwe kugqamisa ukwenza kwezikhungo ngokusitha ubulili bangaphakathi kanye nokuhlola ukubekezela kwabafundi besifazane beguduza kulezi zinselelo. Lolu cwaningo luhlinzeka ngezincomo ezingakwazi ukusetshenziswa ukwenza ngcono ukumeleleka kobulili emkhakheni wobunjiniyela, ngokupholisha izindlela zokufundisa, kudedelwe izinhlelo ezihlosiwe zokusekela kanye nokukhuthaza isimo sangaphakathi sokufunda. • Ukubona okusithekile okuzuziwe kube nomnikelo kwingxoxo ebanzi yokulingana ngokobulili kumkhakha weSTEM kanye nokuwuqondisa nezinjongo ze-National Development Plan ukuhlakulela okuningi okwahlukene kanye nabanamakhono kubasebenzi. • Umkhakha wobunjiniyela - lona uhlobo lomsebenzi olufaka ukusetshenziswa kwemigomo yesayensi ukudweba, ukuqamba kanye nokugcina ingqalasizinda kanye nobuchwepheshe obubalulekile ukuthuthukisa inhlalo. • Indima ye-STEM - imikhakha efaka isayensi, ubuchwepheshe, ubunjiniyela, kanye nemathimathiki, ngeso elihlolayo ekuqambeni kwezomnotho kanye nokukhula kwezimboni. • Amakolishi eTVET - izikhungo ezihlinzeka ngamakhono kanye nemfundo yekhono ukuhlomisa abafundi ngamakhono enzekayo ukuze baqasheke emisebenzini eyahlukene kufaka phakathi ubunjiniyela. • Izinselelo zokugodla - izizathu ezinikela ekushiyeni kwabafundi besifazane kwizinhlelo zobunjiniyela, kufaka ukubandlululwa endaweni yokusebenza, ukuzaca kokwelulekwa kanye nokuvuna uhlangothi olulodwa kwezikhungo. • Indlela kwenza yokufundisa - izindlela zokufundisa kanye namaqhinga asetshenziswayo ukwenza ngcono umfundi wesifazane kwase kwazi kanye nemiphumela kumkhakha wobunjiniyela.