An evaluation of a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet Ingrid
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Artisans -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- South Africa Apprenticeship programs -- South Africa Occupational training -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43314 , vital:36791
- Description: The South African automotive industry is the biggest manufacturing sector and the largest contributor to the domestic economy. Within the national manufacturing sector, the artisan job family has been identified as a scarce and critical skill. Artisans are a number one area of concern with regard to filling vacancies in the country. The domestic economy as well as the effectiveness and success of the automotive industry could be negatively affected if this artisanal crisis is not adequately addressed. This study aimed to evaluate a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry. A multiple-stage selection method was used to screen the applicants. The selection process included the following phases: application review, rating of the application documentation, aptitude testing, skills-based teamwork assessment and interviews. The researcher obtained access to the documentation generated through an annual apprentice selection process at a large multi-national automotive firm. The final sample consisted of 3 412 individuals that had applied for two types of apprenticeship programmes, namely, automotive electrician and millwright, across three intake years. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and medians were used. Inferential statistical analysis, using survival analysis, was used to assess whether the survival curves were statistically different across the groups. The findings of this study are relevant to the South African automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing sector. The findings are also of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers. The 13 constructs investigated in the study showed a high association with longer survival time in the selection process. The positive evaluation of this selection process provides evidence to support its confirmation as the national selection tool. Four recommendations are proposed to the HRM field and four to the automotive industry. The multiple-hurdle selection process employed in this study should be replicated by the automotive industry in their selection of apprenticeship applicants. Standardisation practices, the use of on-line technology and the marketing of the apprenticeship position are also recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that educational providers provide job preparation workshops to assist applicants to improve their survival opportunity within the selection processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Puchert, Juliet Ingrid
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Artisans -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- South Africa Apprenticeship programs -- South Africa Occupational training -- South Africa Automobile industry and trade -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/43314 , vital:36791
- Description: The South African automotive industry is the biggest manufacturing sector and the largest contributor to the domestic economy. Within the national manufacturing sector, the artisan job family has been identified as a scarce and critical skill. Artisans are a number one area of concern with regard to filling vacancies in the country. The domestic economy as well as the effectiveness and success of the automotive industry could be negatively affected if this artisanal crisis is not adequately addressed. This study aimed to evaluate a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry. A multiple-stage selection method was used to screen the applicants. The selection process included the following phases: application review, rating of the application documentation, aptitude testing, skills-based teamwork assessment and interviews. The researcher obtained access to the documentation generated through an annual apprentice selection process at a large multi-national automotive firm. The final sample consisted of 3 412 individuals that had applied for two types of apprenticeship programmes, namely, automotive electrician and millwright, across three intake years. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and medians were used. Inferential statistical analysis, using survival analysis, was used to assess whether the survival curves were statistically different across the groups. The findings of this study are relevant to the South African automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing sector. The findings are also of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers. The 13 constructs investigated in the study showed a high association with longer survival time in the selection process. The positive evaluation of this selection process provides evidence to support its confirmation as the national selection tool. Four recommendations are proposed to the HRM field and four to the automotive industry. The multiple-hurdle selection process employed in this study should be replicated by the automotive industry in their selection of apprenticeship applicants. Standardisation practices, the use of on-line technology and the marketing of the apprenticeship position are also recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that educational providers provide job preparation workshops to assist applicants to improve their survival opportunity within the selection processes.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Evaluating the training and supply of artisans in the South African construction industry
- Authors: Anugwo, Iruka Chijindu
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Skilled labor -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- Training -- South Africa , Artisans -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Employees --Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9672 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020042
- Description: The study focused on identifying ways in which to improve and increase the quality of training and supply of skilled artisans in the South African construction industry (especially in Gauteng Province) in terms of short and medium term approach. The construction industry is facing a severe skills crisis and this has made it so difficult to recruit competent artisans. This may be as a result of artisans being regarded as the lowest in the hierarchy of construction worker positions. In addition, these artisans warrant less training than those at executive- and managerial levels. This negative attitude towards artisans training has plunged the industry into crisis. Those involved find it difficult to successfully complete projects on time, within budgeted project costs and within the required quality specification due to lack of competent artisans. However, serious attention is required towards enhancing artisan training in the industry. It is imperative and vital to ensure the survival of the industry. The cardinal aim of this research project was to demonstrate a guiding solution towards the skills crisis. Thus, in order to initiate a tremendous change in the skills profile, certain measures are required, e.g. expanding training institutions to local regions; upgrading and aligning facilities in the training institutions to industrial demands and the dissemination of vital information that will ensure the attractiveness of the industry. This will safeguard the construction organisations operating in Gauteng Province. Although the industry is a major player in the economy, there is need for special attention in order to ensure sustainable growth and economic development. The Government, construction industry stakeholders and training institutions personnel should collaborate to salvage the skills crisis by strategically developing programmes (in accordance with industrial requirements) that will benefit prospective learners. The researcher adopted the descriptive- and analytical survey method, which entailed the use of questionnaires and a review of the related literature for gathering relevant data. The methodology used in the research was the quantitative data analysis. The feature findings of the research concluded that the skilled artisans profile is insufficient to meet industry demands. In addition, training institutions and primary- and secondary educational systems are characterized by ninadequacy and incompetency to produce skilled artisans. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of harmonization between the training institutions and the vindustry’s requirements. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents acknowledged that training of their workers is an important aspect to them, but few of these organisations indicated that they make use of formal training institutions such as FET colleges. The recommendation include that all the stakeholders in the construction industry should form collaborations to strategically develop programmes that would upgrade the existing training institutions. This could be done through provision of adequate funds and resources and the dissemination of vital information that is capable to promote the attractiveness of the industry image.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Anugwo, Iruka Chijindu
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Skilled labor -- South Africa , Skilled labor -- Training -- South Africa , Artisans -- South Africa , Construction industry -- Employees --Training of -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:9672 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020042
- Description: The study focused on identifying ways in which to improve and increase the quality of training and supply of skilled artisans in the South African construction industry (especially in Gauteng Province) in terms of short and medium term approach. The construction industry is facing a severe skills crisis and this has made it so difficult to recruit competent artisans. This may be as a result of artisans being regarded as the lowest in the hierarchy of construction worker positions. In addition, these artisans warrant less training than those at executive- and managerial levels. This negative attitude towards artisans training has plunged the industry into crisis. Those involved find it difficult to successfully complete projects on time, within budgeted project costs and within the required quality specification due to lack of competent artisans. However, serious attention is required towards enhancing artisan training in the industry. It is imperative and vital to ensure the survival of the industry. The cardinal aim of this research project was to demonstrate a guiding solution towards the skills crisis. Thus, in order to initiate a tremendous change in the skills profile, certain measures are required, e.g. expanding training institutions to local regions; upgrading and aligning facilities in the training institutions to industrial demands and the dissemination of vital information that will ensure the attractiveness of the industry. This will safeguard the construction organisations operating in Gauteng Province. Although the industry is a major player in the economy, there is need for special attention in order to ensure sustainable growth and economic development. The Government, construction industry stakeholders and training institutions personnel should collaborate to salvage the skills crisis by strategically developing programmes (in accordance with industrial requirements) that will benefit prospective learners. The researcher adopted the descriptive- and analytical survey method, which entailed the use of questionnaires and a review of the related literature for gathering relevant data. The methodology used in the research was the quantitative data analysis. The feature findings of the research concluded that the skilled artisans profile is insufficient to meet industry demands. In addition, training institutions and primary- and secondary educational systems are characterized by ninadequacy and incompetency to produce skilled artisans. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of harmonization between the training institutions and the vindustry’s requirements. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents acknowledged that training of their workers is an important aspect to them, but few of these organisations indicated that they make use of formal training institutions such as FET colleges. The recommendation include that all the stakeholders in the construction industry should form collaborations to strategically develop programmes that would upgrade the existing training institutions. This could be done through provision of adequate funds and resources and the dissemination of vital information that is capable to promote the attractiveness of the industry image.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
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