Assessing The Relationship Between Digital Skills and the Educational Sector Labour Market in the Polokwane Local Municipality, South Africa

15 pages•Published: June 16, 2024

Abstract

Our current world is entering a phase of digital revolution, fundamentally altering various aspects of society. Staying abreast of these transformations is crucial for all economies. The internet, the globalising forces, and evolving modes of work and communication present fresh and formidable challenges. The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of socio-economic factors on the interconnection between the digital skills of Mankweng school educators and their positioning within the labour market in the Polokwane Local Municipality, South Africa, whereby the data was drawn from the Limpopo CoLab Training Programme. The study considered data drawn from student teachers under the PGCE programme and (primary and secondary) educators (ICT) from various schools in Mankweng. The study applied a positivist paradigm, thereby it utilised quantitative data analysis through which the data was analysed using statistical packages such as SPSS. Employing the multiple linear regression model, the study identified that socio-economic factors such as, age, education level, teaching experience, access to digital resources and level of income are statistically significant to the study, as they have an influence on the relationship between digital skills and the labour market. The results further indicate that educators between the ages of 25-35, completed the digital literacy course within a period of 5 days and less, whereas older educators (>35) required a period of 2 weeks. The results further indicate that, individuals with higher education level are most likely to adapt easily to the digital era, as most educators with a hons, MSc, and Doctoral degrees have access to digital resources and completed the digital course within a period of 5 days or less. The study further identified that, digital skills such as use of white boards, Microsoft skills (e.g., using Excel Spreadsheets) and use of the internet to assist with classroom activities are the most imperative skills in the apparent digital era, within the educational sector. Furthermore, skills such as, use of computers, mobiles and tablets are categorised as ‘basic skills’ for individuals within the evolving job market. Therefore, the enhancement of digital skills in the labour market improves overall performance and competitiveness, thus establishing comprehensive digital skills training initiatives which will help ensure the workforce remains competitive and adaptable to the digital age’s demands.

Keyphrases: Digital Revolution, digital skills, Labor Sector, Multiple Linear Regression, Socio-economic factors

In: Hossana Twinomurinzi, Nkosikhona Msweli, Sibukele Gumbo, Tendani Mawela, Emmanuel Mtsweni, Peter Mkhize and Ernest Mnkandla (editors). Proceedings of the NEMISA Digital Skills Summit and Colloquium 2024, vol 6, pages 13--27

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/k5RK
	https://doi.org/10.29007/9f7k