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Skills development in the agricultural sector A multiple case study approach Jandré Jansen van Rensburg Prof. Dr. Ronel du Preez M.Comm. Industrial Psychology – University of Stellenbosch

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Agenda • • • • • •

Agenda

Introduction Framework Development Research Methods Results Application Conclusion

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Introduction • Imperative of the study: ▫ As part of a research niche area; ▫ Exploring a neglected realm of knowledge; ▫ Developing and evaluating a framework of variables; and ▫ Establish groundwork for future research Introduction

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Introduction • Skills development is needs driven: ▫ State  PESTEL

▫ Employers  Sustainable Profitability

▫ Employees  Livelihood Introduction

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Introduction FACTOR

EXAMPLES OF DRIVERS

Political

Job creation, redistribution, food sustainability

Economic

Global supply and demand, operating costs for industry

Social

Labour migration, high unemployment, HIV / AIDS crisis

Technological

Investment and effect on labour market

Environmental

Water supply, conservation, certified foods

Legislative

Labour legislation, health and safety standards, unrefined policy

Introduction

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Introduction Organisational Needs:  Strategic orientation (balance of resources, changes in product demands, use of technology)  Labour composition (size and nature of labour force, current and desired skills levels)

Individual Needs:  Skills needs (behavioural / attitudinal needs)  Origin of skills deficiencies are important (are needs due to a lack of current capacity or of motivation?) Introduction

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Framework Development Organisational Variables Organisational Strategy

Organisational Systems

Organisational Climate

Framework development

Organisational Culture

Labour Relations

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Individual Variables Perceived ability to learn

Ability to learn

Attitude

Motivation to learn

Locus of control

Framework development

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Combined framework

Framework development

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Research Methods • Selecting the most appropriate method: ▫ Sectoral challenges

▫ Scale of framework ▫ Current state of existing research

• Multiple case studies identified as core method Research methods

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Multiple Case Study method • Validity

▫ Clear research framework ▫ Triangulation ▫ Limitation of results to theory development

• Reliability

▫ Multiple cases for comparison and evaluation of replication of results

• Objectivity

▫ Vigilance towards bias ▫ Refraining from drawing unsubstantiated conclusions

Research methods

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Selection of cases • Six cases selected based on: ▫ Active skills development initiatives

▫ Larger employers (25+ permanent employees) ▫ Sound labour relations ▫ Operations:  Farms growing crops in the Western Cape Research methods

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Results Case overviews • Case 1: Rooibos farm 1, Clanwilliam ▫ Close corporation

• R 2.5 million remuneration spend

▫ 40 permanent employees ▫ R 25,000 skills development levies; R 50,000 training budget

• Training focus:

▫ Functional / operational training focus ▫ Social development training ▫ Empowerment programme

Results

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Case overviews • Case 2: Rooibos farm 2, Clanwilliam ▫ Privately owned

• R 1.3 million remuneration spend

▫ 50 permanent employees ▫ R 13,000 skills development levies; R 26,000 training budget

• Training focus:

▫ Functional / operational training focus ▫ Social development training ▫ Planned empowerment programme

Results

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Case overviews • Case 3: Fruit farm, Citrusdal ▫ Privately owned

• R 11.8 million remuneration spend

▫ 165 permanent employees ▫ R118,000 skills development levies; no fixed training budget

• Training focus:

▫ Functional / operational training focus ▫ Basic managerial skills training (when available) ▫ Empowerment trust

Results

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Case overviews • Case 4: Wine farm 1, Franschoek ▫ Private Company

• Unknown remuneration spend

▫ 123 permanent employees ▫ Unknown skills development levies; unknown training budget

• Training focus:

▫ Broad training and development focus ▫ Two empowerment trusts ▫ Social development focus

Results

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Case overviews • Case 5: Wine farm 2, Paarl ▫ Corporate owner

• Unknown remuneration spend ▫ 26 permanent employees ▫ Unknown skills development levies; unknown training budget

• Training focus: ▫ Functional / operational focus ▫ Social development training Results

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Case overviews • Case 6: Wine farm 3, Paarl ▫ Corporate owner

• Unknown remuneration spend ▫ 61 permanent employees ▫ Unknown skills development levies; unknown training budget

• Training focus: ▫ Functional / operational focus ▫ Social development training Results

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Adapted framework

Results

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Application • Purpose of research: results are not prescriptive ▫ Inhibited by methods and lack of existing research ▫ Introductory study: complex framework

• Broad framework of variables can potentially influence Skills Development on farms ▫ Organisational variables ▫ Individual variables Application

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Basic practical conclusions Organisational Variables • Strategy and planning • Culture • Labour relations

• Climate • Systems Application

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Individual Variables • Inherently complex individuals ▫ Ability  Actual and Perceived

▫ Motivation ▫ Locus of control ▫ Attitude Application

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Conclusion • Development is a South African imperative • Agricultural sector is especially important ▫ Significant negative impact of past practices are still prevalent and need urgent redress ▫ By considering the framework provided, it is hoped that more can be done in this sector Conclusion

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QUESTIONS?

Conclusion