INTEGRATING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AS A STRATEGIC APPROACH FOR IMPROVING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT IN GHANA. A STUDY IN THE KUMASI METROPOLIS.

ABSTRACT

Entrepreneurship education integration in TVET has been identified as the key to solving the unemployment among the youth in any nation. In this regard, the study was conducted to assess the integration of entrepreneurial skills in vocational education as a strategic approach for achieving youth employment in Ghana using Kumasi Metropolis as a case study. The descriptive survey method was employed in this study. A total of 50 respondents consisting of teaching and non-teaching staff was sampled randomly and purposively from five vocational institutions identified in the Kumasi Metropolis. Questionnaire was the main data collection instrument used. Simple statistical analytical tools like frequencies, percentages and means were used to analyse the collected data using SPSS version 20. The study revealed that there were several practices that actually promote the entrepreneurial skill acquisition of students in the vocational training institutes. Among these practices were the provision of independent and critical thinking skills and competency based training of students based on practical activities. The study found that very few linkages existed between the vocational and technical training institutes and industry like industrial attachments, national service and on-the-job training for students. The integration of entrepreneurship education in TVET was fraught with many challenges which were revealed in this study. These challenges include inadequate funding, lack of entrepreneurial development centres, insufficient tools and equipment for practical skills acquisition. The study recommends that schools and industry should collaborate to create a vital link with entrepreneurs and set up school-based firms or student mini start-ups to ensure that students get the chance to solidify and practice their knowledge in entrepreneurship. Also, the government should provide support in the form of funding, training and study materials for teachers and students to foster the implementation of entrepreneurship education in the TVET sector.