Management of National Certificate Vocational curriculum in addressing skills shortage in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate how the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) curriculum is being managed at Majuba TVET College in ensuring that it impacts positively in addressing skills shortage in the Newcastle area. The following was the main question for the study: How is Majuba TVET College managing the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) curriculum in addressing skills shortage in the Newcastle area? A comprehensive literature review was conducted to provide strong arguments as presented by different authors who wrote on the topic after conducting research about Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges A qualitative method was chosen by the researcher to gather data on the management of the NCV curriculum in addressing skills shortage. The main aim was to discuss the methods the researcher used in the study to collect data meant to acquire the impact of the NCV curriculum management in addressing skills shortage. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews, non-participant observation and literature review. It was then put together and analysed according to themes aligned to the main study problem and the sub problems in order to realise the main aim of the study and the sub-aims. On the basis of the findings and the recommendations, the researcher proposed the importance of the college to review the NCV curriculum so that it is aligned with practical exposure enhanced by NCV students from the industry. In conclusion, the findings pointed out that NCV students’ practical exposure may have a big impact in addressing skills shortage and combating the high unemployment rate in the Newcastle area.