Factors influencing success in adult learning on learnerships

Abstract

Learnerships are a type of workplace training designed to improve learners’ chances of securing employment or to create the basis for self-employment. The purpose of this study is to identify, explain and describe the factors which influence the success of adult learning on learnerships in the FM&P SETA sector in South Africa. Qualitative focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were conducted with learners who had completed their learnerships within the past 24 months in the FP&M SETA sector. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis. Factors which were improved through the learnerships included personal growth, confidence, holistic understanding of the business and an increased desire for further education. This study highlights the importance of the practical component of the learnerships and reconfirms the need for it to remain the primary component of the curriculum. It is though this component that learning is solidified and a deeper and broader understanding of business realised. Finally, this study found that some of the considerations in designing the most successful model for learning in structured, occupation-based programmes are: adequate and accessible mentorship, the role of the facilitator, better communication, clearer expectations from all parties and career development opportunities.