Identification of Vocational Training Needs of the Youths as a Strategy for Human Capital Development (Published)
The paper identified the vocational training needs of the youths, exploring their demographic possibilities that could influence their choice of vocational training. This becomes important since investment in the youths in terms of empowerment through their preferred vocational training could be an invaluable approach to enhancing the human capital development. The study employed a correlation research design. The participants of the study (N=2,520) were youths drawn from Anambra State using Purposive sampling technique. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, bivariate correlation, t-test, chi-square and multiple regression. Findings from the study revealed that vocational training areas in artisan, agriculture, production/service and technical/technology such as; up-cycling and recycling, aquaculture, sales and marketing services, internet and digital services, among others, were identified as vocational training needs of the youths in Anambra State. Findings from multiple regression analysis revealed a significant association between education qualification and production/service training, among others. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the vocational training needs identified by the youths should be revived and made accessible by the government in collaboration with philanthropists and experienced successful entrepreneurs so as to ensure that there is unrestricted access to any preferred vocational training chosen by any youth.
Keywords: Age, Gender, Human Capital Development, Youths, education qualification, unemployed youths, vocational training needs
Colleague’s Perceptions of Female Managers of National Vocation Trainiing Institutions (NVTIS): A Case Study in the Eastern Region of Ghana (Published)
The study investigated the perception of instructors of National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTIs) about female managers and stereotypical beliefs and perceptions that affect women participation in leadership in NVTIs in the Eastern Region of Ghana. The population of the study comprises the instructors of ST. Mary Vocational Training Institute Asamankese, Abetefi Vocational Training Institute and Anum Presbyterian Vocational Training Institute in 2016/2017 academic year.This research employed quantitative research approach in the data collection and analyses of responses. Data collected from the survey were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and mean scores. The findings of the study revealed that NVTIs’ instructors held the views that female heads do not accept other people views, female heads are less corrupt and are weak in decisions making. They also lack self-confidence in leadership and are not courageous. The study also revealed that stereotypical beliefs and perception affects women participation in leadership roles in NVTIs institutions in the Eastern Region. Recommendations were made based on the findings of the study.
Keywords: Gender, Leadership, Perception, female head, female manager, stereotypical
Adolescents Self Esteem and Its Effect on Career Development (Published)
The purpose of this study was to establish the self esteem of adolescents in Kisumu Municipality, Kenya and to determine the relationship between self esteem and career variables. A sample of 369 secondary school students were surveyed on career self esteem, career maturity and career locus of control. The current study found that female students scored significantly higher on self esteem and internal locus of control than male students and that male students scored significantly higher on external locus of control. Self esteem was found to be positively correlated to career maturity and internal locus of control and negatively correlated to external locus of control. Using linear regression analyses, self esteem was found to be a significant predictor of career maturity, internal locus of control and external locus of control. Self esteem only accounted for 2% of variance in career maturity, internal locus of control and external locus of control. The results demonstrate that self esteem has a significant role to play in adolescents’ career development.
Keywords: Adolescents, Career Maturity, Gender, locus of control, self-esteem