An exploration of the skills set required for sustainable employability of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) engineering graduates: the case of Majuba TVET college, Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal.

Abstract

This study sought to explore the skills set required for sustainable employability of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) engineering graduates. The aim of the study at Majuba TVET College was to explore if there is an interface between skills acquired by Technical College graduates and the skills required by employers from engineering graduates, with respect to their sustainable employability. The study was guided by two research questions: What skills set do Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering graduates need for sustainable employability as: Recommended by the NC(V)/Nated curriculum/policy? Perceived by Engineering staff and graduates from Majuba TVET College? Conceived by the engineering industry employers? Is there an interface as defined by the above stakeholders? If so, what is its nature? A qualitative case study approach was used to answer the research questions. Three types of data were generated: from policy documents for the Nated and National Certificate (Vocational) curricula, by open-ended questionnaires and through semi-structured interviews. The conceptual framework that guided this study drew firstly on Pavlova’s three pillars of sustainable development, viz. economic, environmental and social and then on Singh Pillay’s notion of interface. The data were analysed through document analysis, content analysis and the thematic methods. To answer research question two the results for sustainable employability skills acquired in research question one was juxtaposed to establish if an interface exists. From the research findings, recommendations are made regarding the future of the Nated and NC(V) curriculum.