Designing of a capacity development system for educational staff at Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in the Free State

[摘要] English: The notion of capacity building has recently incorporated variousdimensions, which go beyond the human resources issue. Anorganisation may have suitably trained personnel but if it lacks a clearmission and strategic goals, and has inadequate governance andmanagement structures to support those personnel, it is unlikely that itwill function optimally [Centre for Higher Education Transformation(CHET) 2002:1]. It is against this background that the study conductedan investigation regarding a capacity development system as part ofHuman Resource Management and Development for educational staff atFET colleges.This is a qualitative study, where a collective case-study approach wasfollowed (McMillan and Schumacher, 2001:24). The research commencedwith an in-depth review of existing literature on capacity building ingeneral. Subsequent to that, specific focus was given to theinternational, African and national perspectives on capacity developmentwithin the FET college sector. With regard to national perspectives, focuswas on the South African literature and policy framework regardingcapacity building such as the following pieces of legislation: the WhitePaper on Public Service Training and Education of 1997 (RSA DoPSA,1997); the Public Service Regulations of 1999 (RSA DoPSA, 1999); theNational Skills Development Strategy of April 2005 - March 2010 (RSADoL, 2005); The Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 (RSA DoL, 1998);and The Skills Levies Act of 1999 (RSA DoL, 1999).This policy formulation emanates from the need for a major investment inskills development and capacity development to improve performanceand productivity, quality and cost-effectiveness of the Public Service inSouth Africa (RSA DoPSA 1997). The review of literature gave evidenceon how capacity development is perceived, as well as the expectationsdictated by the policy framework. It further indicated the policyimperatives and their influence on analysis and implementation withregard to capacity development.Structured interviews were also conducted with the Management of theMotheo and the Goldfields FET colleges as a result of their involvementin policy development and implementation, and a representative butpurposefully selected group of the educational staff as recipients oftraining and development.In addition, focus group discussions were conducted as a means ofclarifying issues raised during interviews and to validate the responses.To ensure validity of the study, verbatim accounts of participants wererecorded as per the consent of the participants, in order to obtain literaland precise statements from the participants.With sufficient data and consultations made during interviews, impactassessment of the institutional policies, practices, provision and criteriaapplied during capacity development of the educational staff waspossible.Finally, recommendations on how to design a capacity developmentsystem, based on the outcomes of the study were communicated torelevant stakeholders through a power point presentation made to thetwo participating colleges.

[发布机构] University of the Free State