Efficacy of technical vocational education and training college internship programme for mainstreaming youth transition to employment: In Ekurhuleni

Abstract

Facilitating the participation of the youth in the labour market is crucial to mainstreaming youth economic participation, especially in South Africa, where limited youth economic participation is a challenge. Structured internships are one way of integrating the youth into the labour market. Understanding the efficacy of internships, therefore, is crucial and a motivation for the study. Using mixed methods, this study investigated the efficacy of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College internship programmes with Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality as a case study. The objectives of the study, therefore, were to lay a theoretical understanding of internships, explore the contributions of partners, identify key elements of an efficacious internship, and propose an effective model for implementing TVET internships effectively. To pursue the objectives of the study, a survey sample of 200 was drawn (193 participated) using stratified random sampling, and seven key informants (7) using purposive sampling. The study found that well-structured institutional arrangements, quality mentorship, deliberate integration of theory and practice, and partnerships that are informed by a unity of purpose between TVET colleges, service partners, and industry are essential components for the efficacy of internships. Furthermore, a combination of these elements is not only necessary for the smooth running of internships, but it is also necessary to provide meaningful learning for the interns through integrating theory and practice, and through making internships accessible. Based on these findings, the theoretical framework (Theory of Change, Logic Model, and Transactional Partnering Model), and lessons from international experiences, a model for an efficacious internship programme was proposed. This study contributed to the TVET internship discourse and youth development body of knowledge by proposing a model for an effective TVET internship programme. Furthermore, contribution was made through the use of an innovative theoretical framework and by making academic and practical recommendations for understanding internships better and for improving their efficacy.