THE IMPACT OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT: A CASE STUDY OF YOUTH POLYTECHNICS IN NYAMBENE DISTRICT, KENYA

Ibuathu Charles Njati

School of Business and Economics, Meru University of Science & Technology

Kubaison Thiaine Simon

School of Business and Economics, Meru University of Science & Technology

ABSTRACT

This study was built on three objectives. It sought the youth polytechnic (YP) responsiveness towards meeting the aspirations and needs of the trainees. It determined how graduates of YPs faired in the world of work and evaluated extent to which the community was involved by YP in facing rural development challenges. The study was carried out in the four YPs of Nyambene District by use of questionnaires, interview schedules and check lists as study instruments. The study adopted a case study design involving 144 respondents. The study targeted YP managers, instructors, parents/ Board of Governors, second year trainees and the adult YP leavers serving within the host community. The main study findings included inadequate: training tools, equipment and infrastructures, number of instructors, finances, utilization of information communication technology; community poor attitude towards YP vocational training, unutilized physical resources, poor income generating projects, and low enrollment. Practically, the study enlightened the need for YP programme designers on redesigning the existing curriculum to suit the dynamic work of today’s technology so as to address present and future challenges of vocational training. The parent ministry in charge of YPs would find the study useful in the formulation of future plans aimed at strengthening YP training in imparting relevant skills to trainees in readiness for self-employment in rural areas. The study is important theoretically in that it contributes to the advancement of knowledge about vocational programme development in YPs in Nyambene District in particular and in Kenya at large. The findings are key factors influencing trainees vocational training in various courses at youth polytechnics aimed at developing the local community economically. Finally, the study forms a basis on which other scholars could develop their studies in future in pursuant of unresolved issues in vocational training.

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