Experiences of Student Youth Workers During Work-Integrated (WIL) at Mavambe Secure Care Centre in the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Student youth workers are exposed to a variety of challenging situations during work-integrated learning (WIL), especially those placed at centres dealing with young people in conflict with the law. This study aimed to explore the experiences of student youth workers during work-integrated learning (WIL) at Mavambe Secure Care Centre (Mavambe SCC) in the Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was qualitative in nature. The population of the study was the University of Venda’s Bachelor of Arts, Youth in Development (BAYID) fourth-year student youth workers doing work-integrated learning (WIL) at Mavambe Secure Care Centre. The non-probability purposive sampling technique was used to select participants for the study. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews to get in-depth information from the participants through open-ended questions and vignette technique to ease the sensitivity of the research topic. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Ethical considerations were taken into account to protect the participants from any form of harm. The study found that inadequate safety and security, lack of support and monitoring of student youth workers during WIL compromise the quality and effectiveness of WIL. The study recommended that safety and security at the hosting agencies as well as support and monitoring of student youth workers during WIL should be improved.