Multi-Sided Evaluation of Needs of TVET Students in Problem-Solving Skills in South Africa

Problem-solving skills refer to the 21st century skills and Top 10 Skills of 2025. Therefore, TVET sector in South Africa has to pay particular attention to the development of TVET students’ problem solving skills. However, different stakeholders in TVET have different views on the development of TVET students’ problem-solving skills. The purpose of the paper is to model TVET students’ problem-solving skills on the multi-sided needs analysis of TVET students’ problem-solving skills. TVET students’ problem-solving skills are modelled on the following: a) implementation of theoretical analysis; b) online interviews with TVET lecturers; and c) 20 semi-structured interviews with the representatives of 18 companies (including German companies) carried out in South Africa in 2021. The multi-sided analysis of TVET students’ problem-solving skills shows that there is a discrepancy between the educational theory and educational practice aimed at fostering TVET students’ problem-solving skills.