An investigation into the human resources capacity needs to facilitate learner support of work integrated learning at a university of technology : a case study of the Durban University of Technology

Abstract

There is a concern that students are inadequately prepared before being placed in industry to do Work Integrated Learning (WIL). To add on to this, the Co-operative Education Practitioners as well as the external partners or employers are not sufficiently supported to drive this challenging work. This may have an adverse impact on the students as they would drop out or perform badly. Students are from different backgrounds, some of them are from rural areas where there is a scarcity of work opportunities. The opportunity of getting a placement in industry is an unusual experience to them.

This research implements a Single Case Study (Durban University of Technology case study), a mixed method design is followed combining both qualitative and quantitative methods. One of the main reasons for using a single case study in this investigation is that the DUT practices of Co-operative Education and Work Integrated Learning are not unique. It is representative of other Universities of Technology in South Africa. The first stage involves collecting data from students that are undertaking WIL. The second stage entailed targeting the graduates that were enrolled for programmes that incorporated WIL. The third and fourth stages involved the Co-operative Education Practitioners or the Co-ordinators of WIL at DUT and employers or supervisors of WIL students in the workplace respectively. Furthermore, this investigation will focus on stratified random sampling.

The aim of the pilot study was done in order to test the questionnaires with regards to the relevance and clarity of questions. The objectives are to investigate the role, responsibilities and qualities of university and industry staff for facilitating support for learners. This study revealed that a large percentage of employers suggested that lack of learner support can contribute to student failure. Also, WIL Co-ordinators need to be capacitated as the majority of respondents indicated that training to facilitate WIL is extremely important (64%). 72 percent of the respondents indicated that the visits by the Co-operative Education Practitioners in workplaces are extremely important.