Call for Papers

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​CALL FOR PAPERS​

Tshwane University of Technology 

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Theunis Bester Hall, Pretoria Campus
26 - 28 March 2020
Theme: Promoting Occupational Skills and Research for Sustainable TVET

Like many countries, developing and developed economies, South Africa regards technical and vocational education and training as a major contributing factor in improving the competitiveness of enterprises and national economies’ (Rauner and Maclean, 2008). Vocational education refers to the development of practical competence within, or for, a defined work ‘domain”. The vocationalisation of education is presently a global trend (Pavlov, 2009). The ‘new vocationalism’, emphasises the need for education that ‘contribute to national economic imperatives’ and occupational needs for community (Chappell, 2003). The boundaries between academic knowledge/work and vocational knowledge/work have become blurred. Many students want courses that are of a vocational nature to prepare them directly for the world of work or entrepreneurial opportunities. 

The massification and vocationalisation of education have profound implications for what knowledge is regarded as being of most worth in institutions of learning (Maclean, Jagannathan, & Sarvi, 2013). Continuous transformation of TVET sector should include workplace-related training, adult vocational training programmes and informal training. Maclean, Jagannathan, & Sarvi, (2013) argues that formal learning is getting more and more inclusive of informal and non-formal learning to vocationalise education by developing most effective ways in which vocational schools and TVET colleges can best prepare students and learners for the world of work and for a smooth transition from education institutions into the world of work.

The field of Vocational Education and Training (VET), which deals with worker education and skills for livelihood, has been neglected. It is very difficult to find a relevant article in the national journals on the topic, and it is even less likely that a South African based at one of the universities will have written it. The few issues published about TVET will be about the policy issues, and rarely, if any, that focus on vocational curricular and worker education at community colleges. Vocational education and related skills development to Africans has become one of the  means of addressing social inequality by providing skills for livelihood to combat poverty, inequality and unemployment (Akoojee, Gewer & McGrath, 2000).

This conference provides opportunities for scholars of TVET to share their knowledge and expertise to continuously improve TVET in the country. The conference welcomes all contributions from presenters in the country as well as international community.  
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The Conference will provide a platform for practitioners and scholars from all over the world to deliberate, network and present a wide range of perspectives, scholarship, and expertise in the pursuit of best practices in vocational education and training.