A dissertation on the relationship between training and development and industrial relations in the Kalgold mining company

Abstract

The primary object of this dissertation is to investigate the training problem in the Kgalagadi gold (Kalgold} mining company, located some 40 km West of Mafikeng. The company is reported not to have trained most of its staff in the Metallurgy department since the majority union, National Union of Mine Workers (NUM), does not approve of the organisational training plan. The said training plan is perceived as an intervention that would not address the employees' training needs. Subsequently, the untrained employees are susceptible to workplace accidents characterised by poor work expertise. Nevertheless, the mentioned staff often face disciplinary charges for negligence or incapacity that could be linked to a lack of appropriate training. In effect, this study focuses on the training problem experienced by the company as well as disciplinary actions for incapacity related to little or no training. Not only that, but also shall it highlight the shortfall caused by absence of a training needs analysis and establish if this could lead to training that does not address the employees' training needs. The study also seeks to investigate whether management involves the Majority union, NUM, in drawing up the organisational training plan. Moreover, this dissertation will also look into the company's relationship with its SET A, the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA). Careful attention will be on the unclaimed skills development levies lost in the event Kalgold fails to train its staff within the context of the National Skills Development Framework of South Africa.