Revolution of industries
Rapid growth is being experienced by developed countries as they embrace better and improved technology. Developing countries are however faced with a myriad of problems as they aim to improve their industries. The industrialization has thus taken a core front in the development of these countries. South Africa is one of the African countries that is gradually developing. Problems like high unemployment rates are however creating a hindrance to the development process. This assignment aims to highlight the industrialization milestones the country has so far undertaken in its progress, those yet to be accomplished, and highlights some measures it can take. Through analyzing the industrialization process, possible contributions to be made by TVET colleges will be engaged. The paper is thus a backdoor into a resident of South Africa’s view on the country’s progress.
Revolution of industries, which is commonly referred to as industrialization, begun decades ago. The revolution has thus been sub-divided into phases to reflect the progress made through each generation. Industrialization, in its essence, as a process involves different stages that involve the entire workload used. Different stages are experienced in the industrialization process in South Africa. The first stage involves the assigning of labor to the employees. Dividing the workload aims to particularize employees with a specific section of the organization. Specialization of skills enhances knowledge and skills of specific criteria. Employees specifying a designated skill increase their chances of improving on those particular skills. The next phase that proceeds involves a collective assembling of the workforce in a specified setting. The setting can be a workshop or a factory. A collective organized environment of the different specialized personnel enhances work collaborative measures in the production of entities. With many factories coming up around the country, they have become the common ground in collecting experienced skilled people to work in their industries. The last phase is mechanization. It has the use of machinery included in the development process of a product. Machines used are usually large and require constant maintenance and get operated by skilled personnel. Some of the skilled individuals from the first stage of learning are utilized in the machinery sector. Machines have made the biggest part of industrialization as they not only improve the working speed but also make efficient and produce relatively higher amounts of outputs. As compared to purely using human labor which is limited in working hours and amounts used (Musset et al. 2014).
Hannover Messe is a German term for the fair organized annually that aims to bring different nations together for the sole purpose of enlightenment on industrialization progress. A week-long show that showcases a variety of fields in industrialization and the mechanization progress surpassed in them and new developments incurred. The fair aspires to increase the rate of industrial development worldwide by creating a convention through which the latest developments are shared among nations (Hannover Messe, 2020). Experts on different sectors such as robotic automation are also present to offer much-needed knowledge. Another aim of the convention is to provide nations a means of procuring the latest technologies. Interactions between the individuals showcasing and the viewers have led to the establishment of business relations between nations. South Africa as a nation can receive funding from investors attending the convention. Investors are always on the prowl for the next big thing, thus with enough motivation and clear set plan investors can be convinced to put effort into the South African industry. Developing countries can learn how best to progress with development through learning models exhibited by the developed nations. Economies of different nations can improve through the annual convention, which has opened markets to other countries in need of items that are showcased.
Industrialization growth has led to the realization of industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 is the fourth phase in industrialization growth. One of the pillars marking this phase is the establishment of secure network protection of information shared online otherwise referred to as cybersecurity. Cybersecurity is a result of the introduction of the internet, which makes it easier to access information on computerized devices. Storage of the information centered is eased by cloud computing. Robotic automation resulted in the making of robots that can perform human functions. Before the production of an item, simulation is done to predict the world outcomes of the product. The integration of the system results in a faster production rate and large output production. Manufacturing of products additively increase the innovation stage of various products and increases creativity among employees. Augmentation of reality enhances the viewing of world occurrences on smart devices like laptops. Analyzing data is a recurring activity in all the pillars of industry 4.0 (Lazari, 2019).
Growth of industry 4.0 has come with its fair share of pros and cons. Some of the advantages associated with this include the fast production of items due to the improved types of machinery used. Production rates are controlled by the organization relating to the needs experienced by the market. More people are increasingly becoming tech-savvy with the introduction of cheaper handsets affordable by most households in South Africa. Production companies of the gadgets thus receive increased sales. Developing new systems has led to the optimization of the work efficiency of machines. More individuals are receiving education as companies sort to hire skilled and experienced personnel. This is extremely advantageous to learners from TVET institutions who receive hands-on skills on operating machinery and other items. One of the most felt disadvantages is the reduction in the use of manpower. Robots are slowly taking over functions that could have otherwise been completed by human labor. An effect is the increased unemployment rates in the country. Technology uprising has brought the occurrence of insecurity caused by black hat hackers. Hacking into a system causes damages both to the privacy measures and performance of an institution. Individuals falling prey to these scammers suffer through blackmail and lose trust in technology. Employment opportunities are also limited to skilled personnel, with some of the residents in South Africa being uneducated they miss out on employment. Unemployment results in fewer residents being able to purchase items, thus some companies may fall due to losses (Immerman 2018).
To cater for the gradual progression into the fourth industrialization revolution, TVET colleges in South Africa are taking part. Diversifying the curriculum offered by TVET colleges has gone a long way in meeting various needs necessitated by learners. Incorporating the latest technological milestones into the curriculum enables students to be more up to terms with developing measures. Students are thus able to interact and combat any difficulties as they progress into employment (Marope et al. 2015). For TVET educators, the colleges should aim to branch farther away from just offering technical skills. New structures aimed at using different pedagogical approaches to impact general knowledge skills and critical thinking of situations should be enforced. TVET educators offering a system approved curricula infused with a more generalized real-world approach ensure learners become all-rounded and not just limited to books or the skills gained. They ensure a learner is self-sustainable to face world problems or even offer alternative approaches in combating an industrial situation (Pavlova 2006).
Student support in TVET colleges should be enhanced by creating a clear and precise way of handling problems faced. Ensuring each student gets the much-needed information and materials needed for use re easily available is a step forward for learning. Incentives should be established to increase student participation in competitions aimed at improving industrial skills among the learners. Frequent participation enhances intuitiveness and willingness to embrace industrial growth. They not only bring about institutional change but grace industrial milestones when a product made is mass-produced for use. Grants can also be offered by these colleges to subsidize fees paid by learners to ensure more youths from South Africa marginalized areas gain access to education (Skills for Green Jobs, 2014). The embracing of technology includes the incorporation of internet usage among TVET colleges. Colleges can embrace e-learning platforms in the provision of online learning. A project is being undertaken to connect the colleges to the South African National Research Network (SANReN). South African Broadband Education Networks (SABEN, 2019) is effecting this to ensure learners from different campuses interact. The infrastructure sector requires effective methods put into place that are long-lasting and cost-effective to ensure well-maintained roads. TVET learners should be given hands-on priorities in the infrastructure sector to not only learn but also to gain access to ways roads can be made safer. Engaging the learners practically ensures an early on the encounter with road works and enables them to come up with ideas that can make it sustainable in improving infrastructure (Webster & Sausner, 2016).
The progressive industrial growth is aimed at the improvement of nations. With countless phases already conquered, the only way applicable to most nations is to improve forward. In as much as South Africa is bound to suffer minor setbacks, the progress should be gradual to be able to accommodate all residents pertained. Embracing TVET colleges’ participation in industrial growth increases employment opportunities for learners. Measures should however be enacted to encounter the cons caused by industrialization. Reduction of the cons or having plans of engaging the cons enhances the smooth transitioning of all members involved, which results in more people embracing the changes.