Impact of TVET institutions as Drivers of Innovative Skills for Sustainable Development in Kenya

Abstract

Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions have been identified as the channels through which youth can acquire innovative skills for adaptation; innovations as well as for either salaried or self employment. Consequently and in recognition of the role that TVET graduates are expected to play in achievement of the Kenya Vision 2030 among other achievements in the Kenyan economic development, the government has put in place interventions geared towards enhancing technical capabilities amongst the youth. These interventions include improvement of the business environment through appropriate policy frameworks for the TVET graduate owned micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to thrive. This study aimed at: determining innovative skills prevalent amongst TVET graduate businesses; investigating effects of innovative skills to TVET graduate business performance; and discovering challenges faced by TVET graduate enterprises in applying innovative skills for sustainable development. The study focused on micro and small enterprises owned by TVET graduates in Embu District of Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to carry out the study. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the sample. A questionnaire and a focused group discussion were the main methods applied for data collection. Quantitative data was electronically analyzed using the Excel computer software. From the study, it was found that despite a lot of relevant skills being imparted to the youth in TVET institutions, access to credit, technical support, and access to technology and information still remain the main impediments to growth and sustainability of TVET graduate enterprises. Among key recommendations from the study are that TVET graduate enterprises need to be provided with adequate finances, tools and equipment and frequent field visits to performing enterprises for benchmarking and to upgrade their business skills