Abstract:

The post-apartheid education policies were developed to eradicate inequality of learner performance and racial composition of schools and vocational colleges. Youth who lack vocational skills and interpersonal skills are becoming vulnerable to unemployment and poverty. Vocationalising education is a solution for skills gap and unemployment. This paper is based on the study which focused on vocational pedagogic and didactic practices; workshop material and equipment for practical training; work-integrated learning, and integration of theory and practice in vocational subjects. The methodology of collecting data were interviews and observations. The participants of the study were seven lecturers at three Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, who were selected purposefully.

The empirical results from three TVET colleges investigated showed that vocational pedagogy and practical skills training is not responding to the needs of workplaces, and leads to the high unemployment of youth. There are no practical activities at the colleges; hence, there is no integration of theory and practical in vocational subjects. This study found that the curricula offered at the TVET colleges is irrelevant and requires urgent review in order to respond to the current workplace.

Keywords:

Continuous Professional Development, skilled workforce, TVET, colleges, schools, vocationalising, vocational pedagogy, work integrated learning, unemployment.