Abstract
M.Phil.
This study was aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of employees'
perceptions of workplace learning. It furthermore represents a documentation
of these perceptions in the form of this report.
The essay examines perspectives on workplace learning, literature on
"learning organisations", as well as the current legislative framework for
workplace learning, as provided by the Skills Development Act. This report
highlights aspects of the Act that are congruent with learning organisation
theory. A qualitative research design was utilised for exploring the
perceptions of employees for this study. The primary data collection
instrument was semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted with
participants in the workplace context. Thereafter, data was analysed using
the constant comparative method in order to search for recurring themes and
patterns.
Findings which emerged from the data analysis reveal that Human
Resources, which is currently an outsourced function of the organisation in
question, needs to be an integral part of organisational life to coordinate and
account for learning. Furthermore, a more coordinated system of knowledge
management is required within the workplace in order to encourage learning,
and provide information and serve as institutional memory. The third finding
involves the creation of an enabling environment that will enhance learning
within the workplace. The creation of a knowledge base, as well as having
someone in the workplace responsible for learning, concurs with aspects of
the Skills Development Act, as well as learning organisation theory.