Efficacy of learnership programmes: an exploratory investigation of learner perceptions in the Cape Peninsula

Abstract

Learnerships, which are embedded in the skills development strategy for South Africa, have been heralded as the panacea for all shortcomings experienced in the labour market and poverty alleviation in society. Learnerships are vocational education and training programmes, and are purported to fast track acquisition of qualifications for predominantly lower and unskilled workers, equipping them with knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience. At the same time learnerships afford learners an opportunity to enhance their individual employability potential by obtaining a qualification on successful completion of a learnership programme. Anecdotal evidence, however, suggests that learnerships have not been able to deliver on some of its main objectives such as improved employability and living standards of learners. The Department of Labour has placed prominence on quantities and focus on meeting targeted quotas, while insufficient emphasis is placed on efficacy of learnership programmes in terms of its benefits for individual learners. This study investigates opinions of learners who are enrolled in a learnership programme in order to examine their perceptions of a learnership qualification as an enabler for personally enhanced employability and consequent improved living standards. A mixed methods approach was used for the research study in the form of a quantitative survey questionnaire, followed by a qualitative study which used focus group interviews.