Preparing South African College Educators for Teaching in the 4IR Era

The South African Public Colleges Organization (SAPCO) is an independent association of technical, vocational education, and training (TVET) colleges in South Africa.

Its major objective is to represent, promote, and protect the interests of all public colleges in the country. To achieve this objective, align TVET Colleges with the arrival of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), and empower teachers with ICT training, SAPCO has partnered with Huawei's ICT Academy and the Huawei South Africa representative office.

Huawei ICT Academy is a non-profit partnership between education institutions and Huawei's South Africa Enterprise Partner Development Department. As part of the initiative, Huawei designs courses that enable partner colleges to access the latest technology-based curriculum, engineering practices, and instructor training. Through the program, which includes a platform for online learning and hands-on practice, institutions can cultivate students with ICT competencies, practical experience, internationally recognized career certifications, and - ultimately - job opportunities.

Empowering teachers to promote 4IR

Characterized by new technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and IoT, 4IR is transforming various aspects of life, including education.

In this context, teacher empowerment is crucial, as they themselves navigate the challenges and opportunities of the new era. As we move towards an increasingly digital world, it is important to recognize that technology cannot replace the human contact of a teacher. While technology can provide access to information and facilitate communication, it is teachers who guide students through the learning process and help them develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In the 4IR, teachers must be equipped with the necessary skills to incorporate technology into their teaching practices and engage students in a meaningful way. Empowering teachers in this area can help improve student outcomes and create a more dynamic and innovative learning environment.

Empowering teachers can also help address the widening skills gap in the workforce. As technology continues to advance, numerous jobs are becoming automated and new roles are emerging. It is important that students are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the workforce of the future. Enabling teachers to teach these skills helps ensure that students are prepared for the evolving job market.

Building teachers' skills

South African instructors from TVET colleges had gaps skillset gaps that required them to upskill and certify in modern IT courses. With the help of Huawei ICT Academy, TVET college teachers are now able to bridge the 4IR gap in South Africa. SAPCO has supported 47 TVET academies in becoming fully trained, with more than 500 students and 50 instructors trained to date.

One of the ways the partnership empowers teachers is by providing professional development opportunities based on integrating technology into teaching practices, so that teachers can provide students with a quality education. Professional development takes the form of workshops, webinars, and online courses. However, this must be ongoing and adaptable to the changing technological landscape. In addition, teachers need access to technology. To access the Huawei ICT Academy courses on the Huawei Talent Platform website, teachers can create an account, associate with their academies, and gain access to a wide range of 4IR resources. Many advanced courses can be found on the Talent Platform, including a variety of international-level resources. Huawei's ICT Academy and its South Africa Representative Office worked with SAPCO to create a strategic teaching plan catering to the South African market to help instructors navigate the courses.

Empowerment through collaboration

Another strategy for empowering teachers is to enable them to collaborate with professional learning communities. Several instructor workshops have been held, indicating that this method is a powerful tool for teacher growth, innovation, and support.

Professional learning communities can take many forms, including grade-level teams, subject-area groups, and cross-disciplinary teams. These communities provide teachers with a space to share best practices, explore challenges, and receive feedback. Collaborative learning can be facilitated through online platforms such as social media, discussion boards, and video conferencing. SAPCO and Huawei ICT Academy have hosted several instructor workshops using these methods.

Valuing the value creators

Finally, recognition and support are crucial for teacher empowerment in the 4IR, as teachers need to feel valued and supported in their profession. This can include recognition for their achievements, support from administrators and colleagues, and opportunities for career advancement. SAPCO and Huawei ICT Academy have co-developed a support structure for teachers that involves offline training by experienced professionals certified in specific technology domains. As most teachers have other responsibilities in TVET colleges, the training programs last no longer than 10 days. Once the training is completed, teachers can continue to self-study and are given two opportunities to take certification exams.

Teachers need to pass two exams: one certifies them in the technology domain they are most interested in, and the other ensures they are familiar with the instructor resources they will use to train students.

Once qualified, they can then pass down their knowledge and skills to their students.

In conclusion, the 4IR is transforming the way we live and work, and education is no exception. To ensure that students are prepared for the future, it is crucial that we empower teachers with the necessary skills and resources to incorporate technology into their teaching practices. By providing professional development opportunities, fostering collaboration, providing access to resources, and offering recognition and support, we can empower teachers and prepare students for the changing job market and the digital world of both the present and the future.