Abstract
The study examined how the jobs occupied by the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) graduates in South Africa affected their social mobility. Questionnaires were used to collect data on both the NCV curriculum and how students were assisted to obtain employment by the institution. The NCV Level 4 graduates who were employed in various sectors also completed a questionnaire on the positions they occupied, the expectations of the jobs and the rewards of being employed. The argument in the study is that the opportunities for employment that the graduates could access were continuing inequalities that were historically characteristic of the South African society. Even though there were changes and improvements in the graduates’ lives, the low status employment they occupied still impeded their social mobility. The slow career progression reinforced the social inequalities in their lives. The conclusion in the study is that unless TVET education is comparable to university education, its impact on social stratification will remain unchanged.
M.Ed. (Curriculum and Policy Evaluation)