The literature review indicated the existence of over fifty FET Colleges in South Africa. This study on the effectiveness of FET training has been conducted on the basis of examination of only one of these colleges. The study was also limited to, though not by design, a sample of the population that happened to be in permanent employment during the course of the study. It is therefore fair to say it is limited by these circumstances as to whether the outcome can be applied to other FET Colleges.
These limitations should provide an opportunity for further research of the effectiveness of FET training on a wider scale and to consciously be inclusive of graduates that may not have found permanent employment or who may indeed have chosen not to pursue permanent employment in the trade.
6.6 CONCLUSION
The objective of this research study was to investigate the effectiveness of FET training through delivery and implementation of one of the colleges in Nelson Mandela Bay. An investigation was done through the review of literature for the sourcing of the secondary data and through a self-constructed questionnaire to source the primary data. A detailed explanation of the research methodology was also provided and the results presented. This chapter was a culmination of all of the above in that a summary of the findings was presented and recommendations made on how to close the identified gaps in the implementation of the learnership programs. The research limitations of the study were highlighted and recommendation for further research made, as this study, while it has proven conclusive against the background of the subject college, cannot be regarded as exhaustive. This means therefore that the recommendations made can also not be regarded as finite.
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APPENDIX “A”:
THE QUESTIONNAIRE COVERING LETTER Date September 2012
Research Survey: The effectiveness of FET training
Dear respondent
I am a post-graduate student studying towards the MBA Degree (Masters in Business Administration) at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Business School. The topic of the research project involves a thorough investigation on the effectiveness of learnership programs at your place of learning.
As a learner at the college, you are kindly requested to participate in this survey. It is strongly believed that this study will make a meaningful contribution towards the existing body of knowledge with regard to the learnerships as a tool to improve chances of employment in chosen industries and equipping learners for industry and for starting their own firms/businesses.
The results of this research will be submitted to the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in partial fulfilment of a Masters degree in Business Administration (MBA). The outcomes of this study will also be made available to the college and the public by the university at a given time. Therefore the respondents can request the outcome of this study from the college or the university.
The survey is strictly confidential and the respondents will remain anonymous. Please answer all the questions in the questionnaire as accurately as possible by ticking the appropriate box. It is expected that completing this survey should not take you more than 15 minutes. It will also be appreciated if this questionnaire could be returned by no later than the 4th of October 2012. Should you require further information, please contact the writer at the numbers given below.
Thank you for your participation!
Letlatsa Lekhelebana 0829275412
APPENDIX “B”:
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FET TRAINING
QUESTIONNAIRE:
Sex: M F
Race: A C I W
Age: 18-24 25-34 35-44 45+
THEORETICAL CONTENT:
1. I feel that the program provides sufficient theoretical background to support practical learning.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
2. The theoretical content is aligned to the requirements of the workplace learning. Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
3. There a strong link between the theory and the practical training.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
4. I feel that I would not have been able to do the practical without the theoretical background.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Suggestions and additional comments on improving the theoretical content:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ 101
WORKPLACE LEARNING:
5. I have gained a lot from working under a supervisor or industry expert.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
6. I feel that workplace learning provided the right skills and lifelong learning.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
7. I am very satisfied with the training I have received.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
8. I am satisfied that workplace training is not using learners for additional production hands rather than training you.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Suggestions and additional comments on improving the workplace learning:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________ TECHNICAL COMPETENCE:
9. The skills I have learnt from the college and the practical have made me work more efficiently.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
10. I feel that the program has improved my skills sufficiently to start my own business. Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
11. I feel that the program has achieved the goals that I had set for my training.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
12. The learnership provided sufficient technical competence to signal occupational competence.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
13. I feel that the program gave me sufficient competence to perform the job without supervision.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Suggestions and additional comments on improving the technical competence:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________
EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER PROSPECTS:
14. I feel that the FETC qualification improved my chances of finding permanent employment.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
15. I feel that the FETC will boost my career opportunities and improve career progression. Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
16. I agree that formalisation of the program improves prospects for employment.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
17. I think the courses offered by the program are relevant to the needs of industry. Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
18. I feel strongly that the FETC is a good tool for economic empowerment.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
19. I feel that the training received is strongly aligned to my career path and that it is sustainable.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
20. I feel that the training received is strongly aligned to my career path and that it has prepared me enough to start my own business.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Suggestions and additional comments on improving employment and career prospects:
____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________
CHALLENGES AND BENEFITS:
21. I am satisfied that there is a strong link between the FET and the workplace supervisors. Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
22. I feel that the programs receive great support from the SETAs.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
23. I am satisfied that the program provides sufficient socially relevant teaching as part of the theory.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
24. I feel that the social teaching creates a balance in the learning and will benefit me in some way.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
25. I feel that the learnership is highly beneficial to me personally and is good for my career development.
Strongly Disagree Disagree Uncertain Agree Strongly Agree
1 2 3 4 5
Suggestions and additional comments on challenges and benefits:
___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ _______________________