Description

The South African Universities of Technology (UoT) encounter a range of challenges in securing readily available and suitable placement opportunities for learners to complete the Work-Integrated Learning component of the engineering-related qualification, thus delaying graduation, and consequently increasing the labour market demand for technicians and engineers. For optimal productivity, the engineering and industrial technology industries depend on a highly competent and qualified technical personnel to guarantee high uptime of engineering machinery and equipment. The design and execution of projects in industrial processing and manufacturing facilities as well as other engineering industries also require a highly skilled engineering personnel.
To achieve a deeper and more meaningful grasp of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) challenges, the study objectives included an exploration of the WIL challenges encountered by Universities of Technology and employers/organisations that provide WIL opportunities as well as an assessment of WIL challenges experienced by the learners. The study was undertaken at the Durban University of Technology and the Mangosuthu University of Technology and limited to the industries based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa only.
The mixed-methods approach was used in the study, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. Survey questionnaires and focus group interviews were used to gather the data required for the study. The quantitative data from the closed-ended questions was statistically analysed and presented in charts, graphs, and tables. Coded data from the focus group interviews was constructed into themes and thereafter qualitatively analysed. The qualitative findings were presented as textual descriptions, tables and as bullet points.
The study discovered a range of challenges encountered by the University of Technology staff, WIL learners and the Industry Mentors. Recommendations were made to mitigate some of the challenges that the study identified and alternate models for WIL were proposed. The proposals included technology advancements, novel concepts, human resource development and the implementation of processes and systems. Furthermore, a thorough framework was developed based on the research findings to guide future WIL interventions to decrease barriers and improve performance from all stakeholders. The measuring of the capabilities and competencies of the Industry Mentors, whose credentials, experience, skills, training, and personality were not sufficiently addressed by the research, emerged as an essential priority area for future research.