Re-imagining the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Curriculum that can Address the Skills Shortage Gap in South African Rural Communities

Abstract

The study's main aim was to investigate challenges faced by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in addressing the skills shortage gap in the rural communities of South Africa. The human capital theory was employed as the theoretical framework in this study. The study followed the qualitative approach for data generation and analysis. In their respective portfolios, six campus senior personnel participated in the in-depth interviews. The findings identified a lack of trained lecturers, the poor design of the TVET curriculum, curriculum fragmentation, weak institutional structures, and poor infrastructure. The findings also noted the poor funding norms, poor policy frameworks, lack of active support by the stakeholders, and a poor relationship with the TVET partners.