Higher Colleges of Technology - Case Study Example

Why the HCT Student Do not Prefer to Work in HCT

Part 1

Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) can be described as a system that includes several government institutions in UAE. Mostly, these organizations incorporate 17 modern colleges that are technology-enhanced (Higher Colleges of Technology, 2016). Founded in 1988, the organization has grown rapidly to its present level of learning that is work relevant and practical. All programs from HCT are developed in consultation with industry leaders to ensure the education students receive is of the highest quality and job-relevant.

A study was performed to determine why most HCT students do not prefer to work in the Institute. The study results of the survey have a potential impact on both the institution and the students. Moreover, the issue is relevant to the majority of UAE nationals – HCT is an important learning organization in the country. The study will explore the reasons behind the unwillingness of HCT students to work in the organization despite it being a government institution. The other objective of the study will be to identify aspects that will serve as motivation to the students to work at HCT. Lastly, the study will highlight weaknesses in the current system and seek ways of maintaining continuous improvement in terms of motivating students to work at HCT.

The theories to be used include ‘the presence of career opportunities with competitive packages is attractive to potential employees. Secondly, bonuses and incentives are instrumental in attracting the relevant talent. Lastly, the existence of a competitive salary system encourages teams to work and be loyal to the organization.

Part 2

Cable and Judge (1994) conducted a study to determine the extent at which pay preferences influence job search decisions. The hypothesis of the study includes that particular pay systems are generally preferred by applicants and are determining factors on employees’ attraction to certain organizations. Additionally, it was hypothesized that varying job seekers are attracted to different pay systems. For the research a sample of 171 college students in the process of seeking jobs were engaged. The results of the study showed that flexible benefits, high pay levels and individual-based pay were viewed as attractive to job seekers. The research article by Cable and Judge (1994) will be used to highlight some of the reasons HCT students seek employment from outside the campus. In essence, the pay that most teachers receive does not match the workload and that makes it unattractive for many. Thus, many students choose to work outside their colleges. Apart from making reference to some of the factors making HCT jobs unattractive, the article will also be used to suggest some of the recommendations the institution ought to consider to make their work attractive.

Greening and Turban (2000) draws from signaling theory and social identity theory to make an argument that job applicants are attracted by social corporate performance activities (CSP) by organizations. According to Greening and Turban, (2000), CSP transmits signals to potential employees on what it would be like to work for the organization. In a sense, job applicants are said to possess an elevated self-image when working for socially responsible establishments. The authors conducted an experiment where CSP was varied and it was concluded that jobseekers are more likely to apply for positions in socially responsible firms than those which are not. In the context of HCT, the article provides an excellent point why graduating students prefer to work outside the institution in which they graduated. Together with the report on current work attitudes and culture, the Greening and Turban's (2000) discourse will help underline some of the factors making HCT unattractive as a career destination for the students.

The journal article by Wilkins (2001) explores the training and development strategies used by organizations at the UAE. The article reveals that organizations are well aware of development best practices essentially employed by foreign organizations and are ready to apply them to gain and maintain their competitiveness. Actually, Wilkins (2001) article will be used to demonstrate that other organizations are in competition to recruit the graduating HCT students who are even more than willing to choose them over HCT. In a way, the institution of higher learning offers among the best training in UAE which is also in line with other schools in the same level. This fact is known by other enterprises and coupled with the need to be competitive in the global market, the students are attracted. In other words, the article is important as it will provide the necessary information to discuss regarding the important role HCT plays in the country, the quality of education it offers and the demand that exists for students.

Wilkins (2002) article discusses the role that vocational training plays in human resource development. Additionally, the article also explores the role cultural, social and political factors play in impacting professional training. Dubai Polytechnic is used as a case study for this purpose. Wilkins (2002) comes to the conclusion that vocational training plays a significant role in implementing government's efforts towards Emiratisation. Essentially, the government seeks to replace the expatriate workers in the labor market with a proportion of its nationals. Basically, the article provides adequate support for the argument that it is a good idea to have HCT students go back as employees in the same institution. It is the objective of the government to increase the number of locals in the labor market which is essentially dominated by expatriates. On the other hand, the article will also be used to argue that the current trends where students choose to work in other organizations beside HCT are frustrating the government's effort towards Emiratisation. Working outside the institution exposes HCT to having a substantial number of expats among its staff members.

Nicks-McCaleb (2005) provides a discourse on the provision of higher education at UAE. In effect, the article provides the argument that dramatic changes in terms of development and growth has led to substantial transformations in the education system. Contemporary approaches are now being used to support the learning of students. These widespread changes, according to Nicks-McCaleb (2005) have had an impact on the country and the economy. The importance of the article lies in the fact that it provides valuable information regarding HCT and the crucial role the institution plays in the UAE. Principally, the article will be made reference to when discussing why its student should seek to work in it for both altruistic and intrinsic reasons. However, that is not the case as many students choose to search for greener pastures elsewhere. On the other hand, Nicks-McCaleb (2005) article will also be used to make the claim HCT is among the best institutions in the country and most of its students should be seeking to work for it.

Hasna and Clark (2009) argue that shortage of engineering skills in OECD countries has been a significant issue for long. Universities and other institutions have been characterized by small numbers of students studying engineering, faculty downsizing and department closures. According to Clark, this shortage has led to offshoring and outsourcing of engineering services. The paper stresses the need to attract more engineering students from a variety of backgrounds to fill the vacuum. HCT like other institutions is affected by the unwillingness of students to take engineering courses and that also leads to shortages in staffs. In that context, the paper will be utilized to argue that there is a great need to attract students to HCT and later employ them in the engineering department. Likewise, Hasna and Clark (2009) article will also be used to illustrate how an engineering student at HCT would rather work elsewhere than at the institution based on pay packages and work environment. Being among the largest and well equipped establishments in the country, instances of having graduates choose to work outside HCT.

The article by Sidani and Thornberry (2010) discusses regarding work culture in Arab countries. The article begins by claiming that market-oriented development strategies require among others, a positive work ethic and commitment. The article proceeds by arguing that the current work ethic is not adequate for change and development. In particular, the Arab education system is underlined as the cause of the current power dynamics in the region. According to Sidani and Thornberry (2010), the system is the leading cause of the students failing to reach their creative potential. The article will help pinpoint the underlying issues in the education system that may contribute to the desire of students to work elsewhere besides HCT. In a way, the work culture plays an important role when making career decisions. On the other hand, the article will help explain why it is tough for teachers to deal with student discipline issues that make the profession unattractive for graduating HCT students.

The study by Sharif, Hossan and McMinn (2014) sought to uncover some of the primary motivational factors that impact on the decision to become a teacher. A sample of 116 students studying to become teachers was chosen for the study. The method employed to collect data was self-administered questionnaire. From the research, it was discovered that altruistic in addition to intrinsic motivation are major determinants for entering the teaching profession. This article by Sharif, Hossan and McMinn (2014) is important as it would help explore some of the reason underpinning the decision to pursue the teaching career. In a sense, the article by Sharif, Hossan and McMinn (2014) will help start the discussion on why most individuals enter the teaching profession and later choose to work outside the same institution that helped them acquire their present skills. Moreover, intrinsic and altruistic motivational factors are critical but other factors such as compensation play an instrumental role when making a decision to enter the profession.

Pennington (2015) reflecting on some of the teachers’ reflection regarding UAE lessons contend that dealing with issues of discipline is a major teaching career choice put off. The article includes some thoughts by practicing teachers on their experiences. In some instances, students may make the work of the teachers hard to deal with. Other issues that are highlighted by the article include lack of support and work culture. In a sense, there are better careers than teaching which students opt to pursue. The Pennington article is important as it helps highlight other issues considered as important deciding factors not to pursue a teaching career. More importantly, the article will help reinforce the notion that people have negative attitude towards teaching based on the experiences that current teachers go through.

The article written by Teach Abroad Network (2016) highlights some pros and cons of teaching jobs in UAE. Mainly, the article helps identify some of the reasons HCT graduates choose not to work in the colleges. According to the research by the article, people evade working in the industry based on a number of factors that include long working hours and salaries that are not consistent with their labor inputs. Additionally, the article identifies other challenges such as the difficulty in completing administrative procedures such as housing and teaching. In Dubai, there may need some document translations which is also daunting. In a sense, the article will be used to list some of the reasons students in an institution prefer to work elsewhere on completing their learning.

Summary

HTC is among the leading institutions of learning in the UAE. The level of education offered in these organizations is competitive globally, and that has made the students be in demand. In essence, most HCT students prefer to work elsewhere rather than at the institution. The reason for this includes several factors such as the work culture, the negative view associated with teaching and pay package that is not consistent with the amount of work usually done by teachers. On the other hand, other organizations, especially in the business sector offer better work environments and pay which attracts HCT graduates. Considering all this, it is recommended that the institution seeks to improve their pay package, stresses on the importance of working for altruistic and intrinsic factors and utilizes appropriate strategies to ensure competitiveness in the job market.