Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the management of the function shift of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Colleges at the Department of Higher Education and Training. When the function shift of TVET Colleges took place, it provided an opportunity to research a phenomenon and obtain data that were not previously researched, as this was the first ever function shift or migration of colleges from the Department of Basic Education to the Department of Higher Education and Training. As such, this research not only explores a new phenomenon but also contributes to the body of knowledge regarding TVET in South Africa. This research was conducted at a TVET College in Newcastle, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.
A qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted. The instruments for collecting data were individual and focus group interviews. Field notes were compiled during the various interviews, as deemed necessary by the researcher. All interviews were recorded digitally. The said digital recordings were transcribed and emanating themes were identified. Managers were selected as the interviewees. As this research was based on the management of the function shift, they were the most appropriate choice. A sample of staff was also interviewed, as two separate focus groups, to balance the scope and extent of the data, thus attempting to not only view the managerial paradigm as the sole reality.
Findings made from the data were that the function shift was preceded by a previous migration of staff. That migration, however, saw colleges remaining in the same educational stream or level namely that of basic education. The staff at colleges, or technical colleges as they were called at the time, were previously employed by the State. This changed when the State created governing bodies for colleges or college councils, as they are known. Technical Colleges were then renamed Further Education and Training Colleges. These colleges were reporting to the Department of Education which saw a name change to the Department of Basic Education, as explained above. Employees were given the opportunity to migrate from State employment to council employment, which most staff members did. These college councils were later found to be dysfunctional, and the State arranged for colleges to be returned to the auspices of the State, but this time round they were usurped in the newly formed Department of Higher Education and Training. From a management perspective, the function shift was successful with minor challenges. Thus the staff felt that they did not receive adequate communication, thereby adversely affecting their financial positions.
The researcher recommends further research among TVET Colleges regarding the management of this function shift. It is also recommended that all current channels of communication with staff be revisited, and improvement therein pursued, where possible. A final recommendation is that managers involved in a function shift be subject to a refresher course in change management before a function shift is implemented.
