An exploratory survey of e-skills training supplied by small private training institutions in Gauteng

Abstract

In the South African context, small private training institutions are arguably one of the crucial stakeholders supplying e-skills. However, researchers have devoted little attention in prior e-skills research to examine this stakeholder group. In particular, a description of the current e-skill training programmes and projects offered by these providers is almost non-existent. The purpose of this exploratory field study is to survey trends in e-skill training offered by small private providers in Gauteng. Findings from 72 training firms’ show that e-Business, e-Literacy, and e-User related training are the most popular. The study also indicates that e-Practitioner courses are receiving only moderate attention, while e-Government and e-Participation offerings are almost non-existent. Training offered in the various skill categories do not vary greatly tending to be specialised vendor-specific training, many of which are organisational and not social in their focus. The paper concludes with some implications for the national e-skill action plan to address how these small training providers can assist in matching the training needs of a broader society.