HE PRACTICE AND CHALLENGES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP COURSE PROVISION IN SELECTED TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) COLLEGES IN GURAHGE ZONE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the practice and challenges of entrepreneurship course provision in TVET colleges in Guraghe Zone as perceived by trainers and trainees of four sampled TVET colleges. To that end, the views and perceptions of trainers and trainees were sought. The study employed a concurrent embedded mixed research method. Both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered. Quantitative data were gathered from two sets of survey questionnaires (N=357) administered to trainers and trainees of the sampled colleges. Qualitative data were generated largely from five college Deans. While the quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, the qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Attempts were made to examine the convergence and divergence of findings obtained from the quantitative and the qualitative data. The findings overlap in almost all areas of concern of the present study. The findings obtained from quantitative and qualitative data portrayed an encouraging but inadequate and ineffective state of implementation of entrepreneurship education in the colleges. Findings from survey data indicated the training of entrepreneurship had shown positive impact on trainees (M=3.41) in motivating them to think of self-employment as a career option. The intention to engage in self-employment/entrepreneurship among trainees was found significant. However, the findings show that the trainers were not trained in entrepreneurship, trainees lack interest to attend the trainings, the time allocated for the program was inadequate, the method of teaching the program was lecture dominated, there was lack of facilities, and mostly the training programs offered were found to be theoretical. Therefore it was inferred that the training program was inadequate and ineffective to create capable and confident entrepreneurs. Finally, the study recommended the importance of enhancing the awareness of the trainees about the importance of the program, additional trainings for the trainers, equipping the colleges with relevant facilities, allocation of adequate time frame for delivery of the program and the need to diversify practical methods of teaching the program. Moreover, it was recommended that training should be given to entrepreneurship instructors for the effective delivery of the training in TVETprograms.