The Alignment of Civil Engineering Tools and Equipment Between TVET Colleges and Industries

Abstract

This study was conducted in response to the call made by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) in South Africa to strengthen the awareness levels of TVET colleges' readiness to embrace the 4IR era. The purpose of this study was to focus on equipment alignment between TVET colleges and industries. This study used Eulau and Karps' theory of responsiveness as a guide to explore the purpose. Also, this study purposefully sampled five TVET colleges in Limpopo province and two civil engineering industries linked to these institutions. This study used a descriptive qualitative research design. Document analysis and non-participant observations were used as data collection instruments. The study found that the working tools and equipment used by these TVET colleges were not fancy or showing prospects of Fourth Industrial Revolution. This was the same thing with the linked industries. Hence, all tools used were simply outdated when it comes to 4IR integration. And so, the study recommends that TVET colleges should institute new partnerships with 4IR responsive industries than being linked to industries that are using conventional tools and equipment.