The study examines the educational content provided by the public service through training and development support programmes to enhance workforce professionalism, with a focus on Sustainable Development Goal 8, which aims to promote decent work and economic growth for the nation. Workplace learning, according to the National Development Plan and the Skills Development Act, is an ongoing activity to enhance employees' skills and knowledge to perform effectively and efficiently. The study examines education from the perspectives of adult learners in the workplace and its impact on professional output. The study data were collected from professional public service employees using a self-developed instrument. The instrument reliability and validity were determined by using Cronbach’s Alpha and Factor Analysis. There were 19 items assessing professionalism, and 5 components were derived from these items, with factor loadings ranging from 0.4 to 0.9. Similarly, education comprises 12 items, and 3 components were derived from these items. A total of 200 questionnaires were administered to participants, and only 152 usable responses were received. Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the relationships between educational components and professionalism. The results showed statistically significant relationships (p ≥ 0.05) between competence and developmental support; professional engagement and training; efficiency and personal development; and work presentation and developmental support. However, some of the variable components are statistically significant in the negative direction. It is recommended that random education for public servants be avoided and that the focus should be on competence-based professional training.

Authors:
Christiana Kappo-Abidemi, University of Mpumalanga, South Africa

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Christiana Kappo-Abidemi is currently a senior lecturer in Human Resource Management at the School of Development Studies, University of Mpumalanga, South Africa

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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