The perspectives of new student enrollees regarding the vacation work program

In South Africa, Universities of Technology and some Comprehensive Universities used to offer a three-year diploma, which was two years of theory and a year of Work Integrated Learning. Recently, a three-year degree was introduced that did not have the Work Integrated Learning component. Work Integrated Learning is defined as a form of workplace experience that incorporates both the formal and practical aspects of education within a structured work environment. The absence of Work Integrated Learning in the curriculum for the degree has created a gap because graduates were no more exposed to Industry. The Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology facilitated negotiations with industry for students to spend time in the workplace during vacation. Vacation work is a program aimed at equipping students with some industry-relevant practical skills via exposure to the work environment. As a result of the intervention, a group of five students were placed in one of the Mining Companies for vacation work. The aim of this study is to investigate the perspectives of these students regarding the vacation work program. Using qualitative research methods, the participants were asked to share their perspectives. Data shows that vacation work is ideal for the integration of classroom theory with practical work. It can also be concluded that the perspectives of students regarding the vacation work, has an impact on how they adapt to the workplace, and therefore their performance and ability to acquire useful skills during their placement.