Institutional Factors Influencing Access to County Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of institutional factors on access to County Vocational Education and Training institutions in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was informed by the existence of a large number of youths in the County who have not enrolled in County Vocational Education and Training Institutions (CVETIs). This denies them an opportunity to acquire relevant employable skills, which contribute to significant dependency ratio, high unemployment cases, engagement in drug and substance abuse and other socialevils. They are vulnerable and poorest in a total population of (26%). The youths are left with no option but to destroy their environment to survive. Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) remains the first paramount step from being unemployable to employability. The study was based on four specific objectives; to find out the extent to which relevance of training courses, adequacy of training facilities and equipment, career guidance and adequacy of competent instructors influences access to CVETIs. Adopting the Human Capital Theory (HCT), the study employed descriptive research design. The study targeted 28 registered Public Vocational institutions in Makueni County. Stratified simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to obtain a random sample of 21 managers, 87 instructors and 316 trainees drawn from 21 randomly selected Vocational institutions. Questionnaires, interview schedule and an observation check list were used to collect data. The instruments gave both qualitative and quantitative data. Reliability of the research tools was determined by computing the Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficient using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). A coefficient of (0.772 to 0.92) was obtained. The data was cleaned, coded, processed and analyzed. Quantitative analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics computed using a computer programme (SPSS version 23 computer package). Descriptive statistics were generated and used in describing and discussing the research findings. Statistical tests were done using a T-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95% Confidence Interval of the difference (α=0.05). The finding of the study revealed that, vocational training courses have not kept the phase of advancing technology in the industry and they less meet the labour market requirements, hence not attracted prospective trainees who meet the minimum admission requirements. The training facilities and equipment in most vocational institutes are inadequate, technologically irrelevant and not meeting the standards of the industry. Most of the vocational institutions have no organized and functional career guidance departments to provide in-depth information on individual courses which is an ingredient for successful career progression. The instructors were found to be inadequate and missed industrial experiences, which are an important ingredient for knowledge and skills transfer. The study recommends that; the institutions should provide technologically relevant training equipment and establish functional career guidance departments. Reviewing the vocational education and training curriculum to create a sustainable linkages and collaboration with the private sector, employers and the labour market is necessary. Refresher training programme and industrial attachment would enrich the instructors’ training capacities.