How TVET teachers foster employability skills: insights from developing countries

ABSTRACT

Despite the diversity of views in the literature about what employability skills are, there appears to be general agreement that employability skills are important. However, there are concerns about whether TVET graduates in developing countries are developing these skills and the onus falls upon TVET teachers to ensure they do so. In this qualitative study, 35 TVET teachers from 19 developing countries were interviewed to learn how TVET teachers foster the employability skills of learners. Data collected were transcribed, coded and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings show that the well-published notion that TVET teachers in many developing countries do not make efforts to impart employability skills to their students could be brought into question. Results of this study show that TVET teachers use various techniques to foster employability skills in their TVET learners. Continuous professional development of TVET teachers to ensure quality graduate outcomes is recommended.

KEYWORDS:

• Employability skills
• tvet
• graduate employability
• labour market

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ugochukwu C. Okolie

Ugochukwu Chinonso Okolie is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu-alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. His area of research interests includes vocational skill development, higher education research, teaching and learning, career development and TVET development in developing world contexts. Okolie has published extensively in reputable journals. He has edited two international TVET books. Okolie has presented research papers during the major United Nations University, African Development Bank and University conferences across African and Asian continents. Okolie’s works can be found on his personal webpage: https://www.ucokolie.com.ng/

Elisha N. Elom

Elisha N. Elom is a senior lecturer in the Department of Technology and Vocational Education, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria. He specializes in mechanical/metal technology and vocational skills development. Dr. Elom has published widely in both local and international reputable journals.

Paul A. Igwe

Paul A. Igwe is a lecturer in Strategy and Enterprise in the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, and has worked extensively in many enterprise projects. His previous research and academic roles include – postdoctoral research & teaching associate at University of Plymouth, UK. As a research fellow, he undertook several funded research projects at Plymouth University which include African Enterprise Project, DFID/AFCAP Transport and Entrepreneurship Project and European Union €1.8 million INTERREG SMEs competitiveness project. Dr. Igwe has published widely in many reputable journals.

Chinyere A. Nwajiuba

Chinyere A. Nwajiuba is an Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Foundations, Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu-alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. Her area of specialization includes sociology of education, educational management and pedagogy. She has published widely in many reputable journals.

Michael O. Binuomote

Michael O. Binuomote is a lecturer in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu-alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. His area of research interests includes career education and business education, Dr. Binuomote has published widely in many reputable journals.

Ntasiobi Igu

Ntasiobi Igu is a lecturer in the Department of Educational Foundations, Alex Ekwueme Federal university, Ndufu-alike, Ikwo, Nigeria. Her area of specialization includes educational management, classroom management and pedagogy. Dr. Igu has published widely in many highly reputable journals.