1.1 Introduction
Vocational education is an educational process that is directed towards acquiring practical skills, technical knowledge, and competencies required for specific trades or occupations (Olaitan, 2016). It involves structured learning experiences that prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce or further specialized training, focusing on both the cognitive and psychomotor domains of learning (Akintola, 2020). In the context of senior secondary school education, vocational programs provide students with opportunities to explore various career paths, develop hands-on skills, and understand the demands of the labor market.
Career decision-making is a critical stage in the lives of adolescents, as it shapes their educational choices, professional pathways, and future socio-economic status (Afolabi, 2018). Students often face challenges in making informed career decisions due to factors such as lack of adequate career guidance, insufficient knowledge of available occupations, and societal pressures that favor academic over vocational pathways (Ojo, 2017). Vocational education is recognized as a tool that influences career decision-making by equipping students with relevant skills, enhancing self-efficacy, and aligning personal interests with potential career opportunities (Eze, 2019).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are significance of the study, scope of work, research hypothesis and questions, limitation of the study and definition of terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Vocational education is an essential component of the educational system that equips students with practical skills, technical knowledge, and competencies necessary for specific occupations (Olaitan, 2016). According to Akintola (2020), vocational education provides students with opportunities to develop employable skills and enhances their readiness to participate effectively in the labor market. It is reported that students who engage in vocational programs are better able to align their personal interests and abilities with career opportunities, thereby improving the quality of their career decisions (Eze, 2019).
Afolabi (2018) asserted that career decision-making is a critical developmental task for adolescents, as choices made during senior secondary school influence future educational pathways, occupational aspirations, and socio-economic outcomes (Afolabi, 2018). Several scholars contend that inadequate exposure to vocational education, combined with limited guidance, affects students' ability to make informed career decisions (Ojo, 2017). It is stated that the lack of awareness about vocational programs, coupled with societal preference for traditional academic courses, discourages students from exploring skill-based career options, resulting in career indecision and mismatch between skills and employment demands (Akintola, 2020).
Eze (2019) affirmed that the integration of vocational education into senior secondary school curricula has the potential to enhance students' self-efficacy, promote practical skill acquisition, and provide a foundation for lifelong career development (Eze, 2019). On the other hand, poor funding, limited instructional resources, and negative societal attitudes towards vocational training hinder the effective implementation of vocational programs, reducing their impact on career decision-making among students (Olaitan, 2016). This study is set against the backdrop of the need to examine how vocational education influences the career decisions of senior secondary school students.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation reveaked that many students face challenges in making informed career choices due to inadequate exposure to vocational programs, limited awareness of available career opportunities, and a lack of guidance in linking skills acquired to professional aspirations (Afolabi, 2018). In addition, the integration of vocational education is expected to influence students' career decisions positively by providing practical experience and developing competencies that promote employability (Akintola, 2020). However, in many senior secondary schools, vocational education is often underfunded, and insufficiently aligned with students' career interests (Eze, 2019).
Furthermore, societal attitudes and parental perceptions toward vocational education further shape students' career decisions. In some contexts, vocational education is regarded as a less prestigious option compared to academic pathways, which discourages students from pursuing careers aligned with their skills and interests (Ojo, 2017). This societal bias exacerbates the problem of career indecision, as students often prioritize parental expectations over personal aptitude and market demands. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to investigate the impact of vocational education on career decision-making among senior secondary school students.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to assess the influence of vocational education on career decision-making among senior secondary school students.
The specific objectives of this study are to:
- Examine the role of vocational education in enhancing students' knowledge and awareness of career opportunities.
- Investigate the extent to which vocational education influences students' career choices.
- Identify the challenges in the existing educational system that affect the effectiveness of vocational education in career decision-making.
- Determine the perceptions of students, teachers, and parents toward vocational education and its impact on career decisions.
- Recommend strategies for improving vocational education to better guide students in making informed career choices.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- What is the role of vocational education in enhancing students' knowledge and awareness of career opportunities?
- To what extent does vocational education influence the career choices of senior secondary school students?
- What challenges in the existing educational system affect the effectiveness of vocational education in career decision-making?
- How do students, teachers, and parents perceive vocational education in relation to career decisions?
- What strategies can be recommended to improve vocational education for better career guidance among students?
1.6 Research Hypotheses
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
- H01: There is no significant impact of vocational education on the career decision-making of senior secondary school students.
- H02: Vocational education significantly influences students' knowledge and awareness of career opportunities.
- H03: Vocational education significantly affects students' career choices.
- H04: Challenges in the existing educational system significantly hinder the effectiveness of vocational education in career decision-making.
- H05: Students, teachers, and parents' perceptions of vocational education significantly influence students' career decisions.
1.7 Significance of Study
The outcome of this research will help educators improve teaching methods and integrate practical skills into the curriculum effectively. It will also assist students in making informed career choices based on their interests and skills.
Furthermore, the study will guide policymakers in developing policies that strengthen vocational education and enhance employability. In addition, the research will provide parents with knowledge of the importance of vocational education, reducing societal bias against skill-based learning.
Lastly, this research will serve as a reference for future researchers seeking to explore vocational education and career decision-making in Nigerian schools.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the impact of vocational education on career decision among students. The study is limited to senior secondary school students in selected public schools in Lagos State offering vocational education.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.10 Definition of Terms
Vocational Education:
Vocational education is a form of education that prepares students for specific trades, occupations, or careers at various levels (Olaitan, 2016). It involves practical training, technical knowledge, and skill development.
Career Decision:
Career decision refers to the process by which individuals choose a profession or occupation that aligns with their abilities, interests, and opportunities (Afolabi, 2018).
Senior Secondary School Students:
Senior secondary school students are adolescents enrolled in the final three years of secondary education in Nigeria, typically aged 15–18 years, who are preparing for tertiary education or the labor market (Eze, 2019).
Skill Acquisition:
Skill acquisition refers to the process of learning practical abilities and competencies that enable individuals to perform specific tasks efficiently (Akintola, 2020).
Career Guidance:
Career guidance is the provision of information, counseling, and support to help students make informed decisions about their educational and career paths (Ojo, 2017).
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