“What the experience of South Africa tells us is that global TVET reforms cannot simply be transplanted: when adopted in highly formalized ways, they risk producing institutional mimicry instead of real change, exposing both the logic and the limits of the Global Toolkit.”
Drawing on reforms aimed at creating a demand-led TVET system, this Expert CERE Seminar examines the development and features of South Africa’s vocational education and training system. Stephanie Allais, Research Chair of Skills Development and Professor of Education at the Centre for Researching Education and Labour at the University of the Witwatersrand, explains the historical context of the reform agenda, as well as the challenges facing the system today.
She delves into the two key institutions established to support skills development in South Africa: the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college system. Why do both sets of institutions function sub-optimally? After almost 30 years of reforms, why do employers feel that the skills system does not provide them with what they need?
By analysing state management and institutional design alongside expectations, Prof. Stephanie Allais argues that employer coordination is central to building insights into industry priorities and enabling systematic, long-term training. Another question is the possibility of achieving this.
This thought-provoking research on South African TVET also offers insights into the flaws of dominant vocational education policy reform models and approaches internationally.
She delves into the two key institutions established to support skills development in South Africa: the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college system. Why do both sets of institutions function sub-optimally? After almost 30 years of reforms, why do employers feel that the skills system does not provide them with what they need?
By analysing state management and institutional design alongside expectations, Prof. Stephanie Allais argues that employer coordination is central to building insights into industry priorities and enabling systematic, long-term training. Another question is the possibility of achieving this.
This thought-provoking research on South African TVET also offers insights into the flaws of dominant vocational education policy reform models and approaches internationally.