The role of secondary education in operator employability in the automotive industry

This study was designed to assess the role of secondary education in the employability of operators in the South African automotive industry. Five types of secondary education are referred to, namely, a secondary education including Mathematics and Science as subjects; a matriculation with Mathematics as a subject; a secondary education inclusive of Science as a subject; a technical type Grade 12 qualification and a general form of secondary education. A two-phase aptitude testing selection process, employing three sub-tests from the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT-K) and five from the Trade Aptitude Test (TRAT) batteries, was utilised to assess whether there were significant differences in aptitude test scores of applicants with different types of secondary education. These aptitude measures were administered to 2 463 preselected respondents. Descriptive statistics such as median, mode and frequency distribution graphs were used. Statistical analysis was also carried out, using the Chi-square test of independence, to determine the differences in aptitude test results obtained by the groups in the study. The study‟s findings revealed that the type of Grade 12 qualification held by applicants is an important criterion to be considered in the selection of automotive operators. The findings specifically indicated that a secondary education that included Mathematics and/or Science as subjects resulted in notable performance in the aptitude instruments employed in this study. The findings are broadly relevant to the South African automotive industry and are of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers

An evaluation of a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry

The South African automotive industry is the biggest manufacturing sector and the largest contributor to the domestic economy. Within the national manufacturing sector, the artisan job family has been identified as a scarce and critical skill. Artisans are a number one area of concern with regard to filling vacancies in the country. The domestic economy as well as the effectiveness and success of the automotive industry could be negatively affected if this artisanal crisis is not adequately addressed. This study aimed to evaluate a profiling and selection process for apprentices in the South African automotive industry. A multiple-stage selection method was used to screen the applicants. The selection process included the following phases: application review, rating of the application documentation, aptitude testing, skills-based teamwork assessment and interviews. The researcher obtained access to the documentation generated through an annual apprentice selection process at a large multi-national automotive firm. The final sample consisted of 3 412 individuals that had applied for two types of apprenticeship programmes, namely, automotive electrician and millwright, across three intake years. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution tables and medians were used. Inferential statistical analysis, using survival analysis, was used to assess whether the survival curves were statistically different across the groups. The findings of this study are relevant to the South African automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing sector. The findings are also of value to human resource practitioners, educators, social scientists and other researchers. The 13 constructs investigated in the study showed a high association with longer survival time in the selection process. The positive evaluation of this selection process provides evidence to support its confirmation as the national selection tool. Four recommendations are proposed to the HRM field and four to the automotive industry. The multiple-hurdle selection process employed in this study should be replicated by the automotive industry in their selection of apprenticeship applicants. Standardisation practices, the use of on-line technology and the marketing of the apprenticeship position are also recommended. Furthermore, it is recommended that educational providers provide job preparation workshops to assist applicants to improve their survival opportunity within the selection processes

Investigating the mediating effects of phubbing on self-presentation and FoMO within the context of excessive Instagram use

Social media platforms can deliver benefits for their users. They help people to stay in touch with each other and to have control over how they present themselves to their contacts on these platforms. In some cases, these benefits lead to excessive usage, which can diminish individual wellbeing, and compromise relationships with significant others. We surveyed 275 respondents to investigate the influence of and interactions between (1) self-presentation (specifically false self-presentation), (2) FoMO (fear of missing out), and (3) phubbing (ignoring someone by diverting attention to a mobile phone) in the context of excessive Instagram use. We found that phubbing mediates the relationship between false self-presentation and excessive Instagram use but did not find evidence that phubbing mediates the relationship between FoMO and excessive Instagram use. We also found a positive relationship between excessive Instagram use and educational level. We conclude with a discussion on the theoretical and practical implications of the results

Introduction to Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E

Introduction to Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E, Supplementary examination January 2012

Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E

Examination on Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E, November 2009

Business Management: BEC 121 & BEC 121E

Business Management BEC 121 & BEC 121E, supplementary examination January 2010

Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E

Business Management: BEC 121 & 121E, Supplementary examination January/February 2011

The relationship between type of secondary education and subject choice with technically oriented aptitudes for automotive operators

CITATION: Puchert, J. I., Dodd, N. & Viljoen, K. 2017. The relationship between type of secondary education and subject choice with technically oriented aptitudes for automotive operators. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology / SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 43:1-13, doi:10.4102/sajip.v43i0.1435.The original publication is available at http://www.sajip.co.zOrientation: The central theme of this study attends to the role of secondary education in relation to two broad categories of specific aptitudes (psychomotor and spatial abilities). Utilising type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) could be a crucial selection mechanism for high-volume, entry-level technical positions. Research purpose: The objective of this research was to investigate whether the type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) could be used as a proxy for psychomotor (dexterity and coordination) and/or spatial (ability to mentally assemble representations and spatial perception 2-D and 3-D) aptitudes in the selection of operators for an automotive plant in South Africa. Motivation for the study: The motivation for this study arose from the evident gap in academic literature as well as the selection needs of the automotive industry. Research design, approach and method: A quantitative approach with a cross-sectional research design was used with a convenience sample (n = 1566) of work-seeking applicants for automotive operator positions in South Africa. These applicants completed a biographical questionnaire and five sub-tests from the Trade Aptitude Test Battery. The Chi-square test was used to determine the association between form of Grade 12 qualification and selected technical aptitudes. Main findings: Statistically and practically significant relationships were found between type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice), eye–hand coordination and spatial visualisation. Broad performance levels in the five aptitude instruments employed in this study were significantly associated with the type of matriculation certificate held by applicants. Specifically, types of secondary education that included mathematics and/or science as subjects were associated with higher levels of performance in the five specific aptitudes. Practical/managerial implications: The type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) held by applicants could be regarded as a key predictor variable in human resource selection. The study makes a case for a multiple-hurdles approach to selection and proposes a cost-effective preliminary screening method for low-level technical positions. Contribution/value-add: The study provides information to improve upon selection practices within the South African automotive industry. It could also assist human resource practitioners in designing selection processes for similar entry-level employees in other working contexts. The study makes a case for a multiple-hurdles approach to selection and highlights the reciprocal relationship between education and specific cognitive abilities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1435Publisher's versio

Business Management: BEC 111

Business Management: BEC 111, examination June 2010

Secondary education as a predictor of aptitude : implications for selection in the automotive sector

CITATION: Puchert, J. I., Dodd, N. & Viljoen, K. L. 2017. Secondary education as a predictor of aptitude : implications for selection in the automotive sector. SA Journal of Industrial Psychology / SA Tydskrif vir Bedryfsielkunde, 43:1-13, doi:10.4102/sajip.v43i0.1416.The original publication is available at http://www.sajip.co.zaOrientation: Details of applicants’ secondary education (incorporating subject choice) could be a useful screening tool when processing large applicant pools. Here, the relationships between secondary education (incorporating subject choice) and the reasoning and visual perceptual speed components of the Differential Aptitude Test are explored. Research purpose: The objective of the study was to determine whether type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) could be used as a substitute for reasoning (verbal and non-verbal) and/or visual perceptual speed aptitudes in the selection of operators for an automotive plant in South Africa. Motivation for the study: The motivation for this study arose from the evident gap in academic literature as well as the selection needs of the automotive industry. Research design, approach and method: This research adopted a quantitative approach. It involved a non-probability convenience quota sample of 2463 work-seeking applicants for an automotive operator position in South Africa. Participants completed a biographical questionnaire and three subtests from the Differential Aptitude Test battery. The Chi-square test was used to determine the relationship between type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) and selected cognitive aptitudes. Main findings: The study’s findings revealed statistically and practically significant relationships between type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice), verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning and visual perceptual speed. Broad performance levels in the three aptitude subtests employed in this study were significantly associated with the type of matriculation certificate held by applicants. The findings specifically indicated that the secondary education types that included the subjects mathematics or both mathematics and science were associated with higher levels of performance in the three aptitudes. This had consequences for these applicants’ success in the screening process which could lead to enhanced chances of employability. Practical and managerial implications: Applicants’ type of secondary education (incorporating subject choice) could be regarded as a key criterion in human resource selection and be instructive in the screening process. This could reduce the candidate pool prior to more costly psychometric assessments. Contribution or value-add: The findings are specifically relevant to the South African automotive industry in terms of their human resource selection practices. The insights gained from the findings may also be used as a guide to human resource practitioners in the selection of similar level employees in other working contexts. The study makes a case for a multiple-hurdle approach to selection.https://sajip.co.za/index.php/sajip/article/view/1416Publisher's versio