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.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM EDUCATION,
Faculty of VOCATIONAL EDUCATION, submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
University of Education, Winneba in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
award of Master of Technology (Catering and Hospitality) degree.
NOVEMBER, 2016