The training of quality educators at colleges of education in particular, can only be optimally reached when trainers are academic-professionally competent for their task. The same criteria also apply to staff of training support services who are mainly responsible for administrative tasks.
The top level and middle management of a college of education should carry the management responsibility (management task) in order to optimally training and development, within organizational context, its human resources.
In view of the above-mentioned points of view as well as the scientific point of departure that human resource management is a sub-science of education, human resource development; as a management task of the management team (top- and middle management) at colleges of education in the Republic of South Africa, is investigated and addressed.
The dilemma concerning human resource development at a college of education in view of guidelines, has been thoroughly researched, both through a literature study on human resource management and development and an empirical study.
Human resource management and development is placed in perspective by referring to the areas in human resource management.
In order to identify and therefore address problem areas, human resource development should be preceded by a determination and analyses of needs.
The empirical research showed that the optimal development of human resources through training and development, is relevant in the following areas, namely, (1) task performance development; (2) career development; (3) professional development; and (4) personal development.
A thorough reflection on the choice of general and specific training and development methods and techniques and the implementation thereof on a continuous basis, serve as instruments for optimal implementation of human resource development.
The research based on a literature study and empirical study resulted in the provision of guidelines for human resource management with reference to human resource development as a management task for the management team. The realization of aims, the solution of the dilemma as well as the specific conclusions reached, confirmed the accuracy of the research.
