Developing Diversified Action Plans for Quality TVET Programmes to Empower Youth with Industry-Ready Skills in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

The unemployment rate among TVET graduates in Nigeria has worsened due to a discrepancy between the skills industries demand and those that TVET institutions offer students. This study aims to examine diversified action plans developed by tertiary institutions in South-East Nigeria to promote quality Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, with the goal of empowering youth with industry-ready skills for employment. The study used a survey research design and collected data from 462 TVET lecturers without sampling. A self-developed questionnaire with a four-point rating scale was used to collect data. The instrument was validated and found to be reliable. Data analysis included arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and t-tests. The findings revealed that TVET lecturers disagree that sustainable TVET financing schemes, TVET-private sector collaboration, and investment in TVET lecturers' capacity building are developed by TVET institutions to promote youths' acquisition of industry-ready skills for employment. Ownership of institution and years of experience influenced TVET lecturers' perceptions. The researcher concluded that diversified action plans are not adequately developed in TVET institutions to promote the quality of the programme. It was recommended that TVET management in tertiary institutions establish small-scale business ventures to generate revenue and support programme delivery, allowing for the provision of new teaching facilities and equipment and improving student learning and acquisition of entrepreneurship skills.