A management framework for training providers to improve workplace skills development in South Africa.

Deputy President, Ms Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, says a skills revolution is necessary for South Africa's (SA) skills crisis. The SA skills revolution began with the skills legislation of 1998-1999 when the Departments of Labour and Education intended a seamless, integrated approach to rapid skills development. The National Skills Development Strategy, the Sector Education and Training Providers, the South African Qualifications Authorities and the National Qualifications Framework were established to drive the human resource and skills development revolutionary strategy. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of the 2001-2003 research investigating an internal management framework for training providers, employers and managers to accelerate workplace skills development. An integrated, multimethod research model was employed to gather empirical evidence on skills practices. A robust quantitative survey was conducted within 600 organisations. Simultaneously, rich, descriptive data were gathered from managers and employees using a structured qualitative interview strategy. The integrated data pool was factor analysed. The research findings, conclusion and recommended framework were reported in a PhD thesis. The research findings reveal major gaps in the effectiveness of SA training providers to radically accelerate and improve workplace skills development as per national skills legislation, implementation and management criteria. If the skills revolution in SA is to succeed, training providers, in particular, must become less complacent, more assertive and fully equipped when participating in the skills development arena. Via this research, training providers will gain critical, reflective insight into their management framework for meeting skills legislative criteria and for managing training interventions and skills projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]