The TVET Colleges: Employees Perceptions after migrating to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)
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Date
2024
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University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The TVET Colleges: Employees Perceptions after migrating to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa oversaw the conversion of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions from Further Education and Training (FET) colleges to TVET colleges, denoting a dramatic change in the academic environment. In light of this shift, this thesis explores the complex ways in which TVET staff members—more especially, lecturing staff, non-lecturing staff, and college administration—have altered their attitudes and perceptions. The research revealed a comprehensive knowledge of how the migration to DHET changed attitudes and opinions among TVET employees through a combination of qualitative data acquired from surveys and semi-structured focus group interviews. The results suggest that contextual factors such as the college's rural location may have a big impact on how staff members' experiences are shaped in the post-migration period. Still, one must consider the study's shortcomings, such as its small sample size and the possibility of response bias. The study's narrow emphasis on a single college limits the results' applicability to the larger TVET industry, and the lack of quantitative data may limit the findings' reach. A mixed method approach has been used in the research to accommodate the wide range of viewpoints and approaches required for thorough analysis and comprehension. The study population comprised management professionals, support workers, and lecturing staff from a TVET College in the Western Cape. The demographic of the study was primarily African and Coloured, with a small percentage of Whites individuals. There was a notable variation in the age range; most of the population was between 45 and 65 years old, while a lesser number was between 25 and 40 years old. The Western Cape region's rural TVET College was the main subject of this study. In order to particularly target people who worked for the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) before and after the merger of FET Colleges into TVET Colleges, the researcher used purposive sampling techniques. With its insights that can guide policy formation, strategic planning, and decision-making in the TVET sector, this research adds significantly to the body of knowledge already in existence. It also acts as a guide for upcoming research projects, especially when it comes to tackling the many opportunities and difficulties brought about by TVET institutions' transition in the constantly changing South African education system. Finally, this thesis illuminates the intricacies of change in this vital area of South African education by providing a thorough examination of the attitudes and views of TVET staff following a significant upheaval within the TVET institution.