An investigative analysis of the psychological characteristics and job specifications of a co-operative education lecturer

Abstract

Co-operative education is an important sub-system of education that plays an essential role in the development of students' critical and creative thinking skills. The idea behind any co-operative education programme is that students alternate their academic periods at the academic institution with periods in the world of work, with the aim of implementing their theoretical knowledge in practical situations. The Co-operative Education lecturer plays an integral role in the co-operative education programme. He is an indispensable link in the interaction between the student the employer and the academic institution. The changing circumstances in South Africa's labour and education sectors warrant research into methods of improving current education systems and processes. A better understanding of what exactly a Co-operative Education lecturer is responsible for can lead to an improvement of the co-operative education process. Before the researcher undertook this study, there was no specific scientifically established model pertaining to the profile of a Co-operative Education lecturer in South Africa.

Therefore, there were no set guidelines for the effective recruitment, remuneration, training and assessment of such a person. The objectives of this study were fourfold: • To define the current role, responsibilities, personality traits, abilities, characteristics, types of experience and level of qualifications of a Co-operative Education Lecturer. • To establish a profile of an ideal Co-operative Education Lecturer. • To create a job description that can be used as a guideline for the effective recruitment, remuneration, assessment and training of Co-operative Education Lecturers. • To identify areas for further research. The researcher investigated the roles and responsibilities; personality traits; abilities and characteristics; types of experience; and qualifications needed by the Co-operative Education Lecturer to complete his job successfully. From the investigation it is evident that the Co-operative Education Lecturer's function in the total co-operative education process is multi-dimensional. He plays an integral role in the effective functioning of the co-operative education programme and is an indispensable link in the interaction between the student, the employer and the academic institution. A profile of a Co-operative Education Lecturer was created as part of the research project This profile can be seen as a benchmark for Co-operative Education Lecturers in South Africa. The profile made it possible to obtain a holistic picture of the Co-operative Education Lecturer and what is expected of him to ensure that the co-operative education process is implemented successfully. The job description developed as a product of the research can be utilised as a tool in the effective recruitment, remuneration, training and assessment of Co-operative Education Lecturers in South Africa