The influence of the Canadian Auto Workers Union in debates on the South African Qualifications Framework
Date
2018
Authors
Kodisang, Elias
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Abstract
This paper argues that the paradox of COSATU and its unions supporting and promoting
high skills within the framework of a competence-based skills system can only be
understood by unearthing the hidden history of contestation within the unions over the
system. These differences were rooted in much larger political and ideological contestations
regarding the ideology of competitiveness and the future of struggle in the unions. In
addition, it is necessary to take the totality of social, political and economic factors into
account. It is rooted within Marxist methodology which takes as its point of departure the
observation that human activity (and nature) is constituted by a complex array of actions,
institutions and social entities with real class interests. It takes as its starting point the fact
that social systems are best understood by understanding the multiple determinations and
relationships that impact them. The paper thus argues that understanding the shift away
from emancipatory notions of education required an understanding of various social forces
together with their political, ideological and material interests. Based on this, it is argued
that the political and class interests of black union leaders together with shifts by white
intellectuals who previously held radical and largely Marxist positions coincided with
changes in the local and international balance of forces. These shifts by these groups in
themselves took place within a generalised retreat in progressive ideas and defeats of the
union base by employers and retreats away from internal democratic traditions within
unions. This confluence of factors allowed for shifts in the emancipatory ideas of education
and the ascendance of ideas based on new ideas of work experience, accreditation of
learning and work experience.
Description
A Masters Research Report submitted to the School of Education, Faculty of
Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the
requirements for the degree of Master of Education.
Keywords
Trade Unions, New skills system,