Abstract
The skills shortage is one of the problems that existed in South Africa as a result of
its historic political situation. South Africa was characterized by a white dominant
government in an economy which was marked by exclusions of various people of
race and gender. In the working environment, the situation reflected job reservation
for white males, limited career opportunities for white females with repercussions of
isolation, sanctions and global deprivation.
The 1994 elections brought a change in leadership and a democratic government
had as its primary mission skills development for all. On a macro level, South Africa
was marginalized from global participation and on a micro level, many people were
not able to enter the workforce because of a lack of skills let alone be active in the
economy.
The South African government’s resultant Human Resources Development – (HRDS)
and National Skills Development Strategy (NSDS) were driven by supportive
legislation namely the Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998, Employment Equity Act
No 55 of 1998, Skills Development Levies Act of 1999 and the South African
Qualifications Authority Act No 58 of 1995.
These strategies and legislative measures intended to address the skills shortages
through the implementation of learnerships as a national qualification. Following from
the high level strategy were the initial over-ambitious targets for people to become
qualified learners. The result was a push-through effect of individuals who were not
necessarily suited to a particular learnership nor were they able to function on the
required standard. Low level evaluations were used to ‘certify’ potential learners in
terms of their numeracy and literacy levels only.
This provided an opportunity to evaluate the suitability of learners on the New
Venture Creation Learnership in terms of their entrepreneurial functionality and
leadership qualities.
After evaluating a number of models (Carland Entrepreneurial Index, the Bar-on
Emotional Intelligence test and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), the Functional
ii
Intelligence Assessment Tool (FIAT) scientific model was selected because of its
holistic approach of the individual and his/her functionality within an environment.
The Functional Intelligence Assessment Tool identified and substantiated the
suitability or non-suitability of the respondents in terms of entrepreneurial
requirements. An additional questionnaire was administered to evaluate leadership
qualities which are an essential component of the entrepreneur.
The first of three research goals were attained when the respondents who were in
the process of completing the New Venture Creation Learnership were successfully
assessed in terms of entrepreneurial functionality. The outcome of this research
concluded that only three (3) out of nineteen (19) candidates were found to be
suitable for the entrepreneurial environment while two of the three had leadership
qualities. The analysis of one candidate was such that no accurate analysis in terms
of leadership qualities could be obtained.
In terms of Functional Tendency, eight (8) candidates showed extrovert tendencies,
six (6) showed introvert tendencies while five (5) candidates rendered results that did
not give a clear indication of the individual’s functionality.
Nine (9) individuals intentionally tried to manipulate their results but were identified
through their inconsistent results while candidate 1 manipulated her results
unintentionally;
Five (5) individuals tried to disguise their results by giving extreme scores thereby
hoping to impress with their choice of answers (impression management) while two
(2) individuals were in denial about their situation having scored unrealistic results.
Two (2) individuals had serious problems with their emotional functioning to the
extent that they should consult a professional person (professional intervention).
Twelve (12) individuals revealed inconsistent results while the remainder of
candidates shows some or an insignificant degree of inconsistency in their results.
Only three (3) individuals should be re-assessed due to the extent of their
inconsistency.
iii
The second research goal to give comprehensive feedback to the Services Seta and
respondents regarding the outcome of the Functional Intelligence Assessment Tool
assessments will only be attained after this thesis but it sets the base for follow-up of
the respondents’ progress and to conduct future research.
The third research goal is also more medium - to long term - to apply this tool to
potential learners and – employees in addition to the initial research performed. This
goal will also only be attained after negotiations with SETAs and continuous
populating of a central database with the FIAT’s assessments.
The holistic approach to assessing the functionality of an individual gives the person
a vast number of areas known as super constructs (self perception and emotional
functioning; relationships and corporate functioning, personal – and organizational
value comparison) that will either highlight a serious situation or spell out how the
individual will react and interact in certain situations.
Small business is said to drive the economy of a country. It is therefore critical that
the entrepreneurs in a country are identified early (through a scientific instrument
such as FIAT) and skilled appropriately (through learnerships or other educational
routes). It is equally important that individuals that are not entrepreneurs be found
their rightful vocation and then everyone can contribute effectively to the economic
activity.
Prof. J.J.D. Havenga