1.1 Introduction
Vocational and Technical education is a type of education which is designed specifically to accommodate both the trainer and the trainee to enable the trainee acquire the basic knowledge, skills, abilities, understanding and attitudes needed for one’s efficient performance in his or her chosen occupational career for self-reliance and national development (Nwogu & Nwanorou, 2011). It is the education and training that equips individuals and learners with knowledge, ideas, principles, attitudes and attributes which will enable them to discover opportunities, plan and create ventures to exploit the opportunities available for economic development. Technical education and training are the education for the acquisition and development of skills, competencies and attitudes which are necessary for capacity building.
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, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Over the years Nigeria as a nation has been making effort to be advanced and industrialized like other nations in the world, in terms of robust economy, science and technology as well as high standard of living. In countries like United States of America. Great Britain, China and Germany, there are massive industrialization, advanced science and technology, massive employment and high income per capital as well as reduction in poverty rate among the populace. Against this background, Nigeria in 1987 decided to introduce vocational and technical education into the National Policy on education as a road map to socio economic greatness.
UNESCO (2002) described technical education and training as a comprehensive term which encompasses the study of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge related to occupations in various sectors of economic and social life.
Vocational and technical education is an educational training which encompasses knowledge, skills competencies, structural, activities, abilities, capabilities and all other experiences acquired through formal, on the job or off the job which are capable of enhancing recipients and creating opportunity for securing job (Okolocha, 2006). The Federal Republic of Nigeria (2004) outlined the goals of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) in the National Policy on Education document as follows to provide trained manpower in the applied sciences, technology and business particularly at craft, and technical levels, provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for agriculture, commerce and economic development and give training and impart the necessary skills to individuals who shall be self-reliant economically while at the post secondary (tertiary) technical institute such as Polytechnics or colleges of education (technical) and universities.
To be able to achieve this goal of vocational technical education, there must be adequate instructional facilities such as laboratories and equipment for the teachings and learning of vocational and technical education skills, knowledge and competencies at the tertiary level. vocational and technical education include training in engineering such as Electrical, Mechanical, Welding and Fabrication, Agricultural, science laboratory, computer science, other courses include office technology, food technology hospitality, business administration, accountancy etc. These courses are taught at colleges of education, polytechnic and the universities.
Youths represent the future and hope of every country, today's youth are tomorrow's workers, entrepreneurs, parents, active citizens and leaders. In light of these great functions that youth is liable to play; it can only be achieved if they are empowered through active and powerful approaches. As economic and technological change gathers pace, youth people everywhere need to develop their knowledge and skills, on a continuous basis, so that they can live and work meaningfully in the knowledge society especially in the era of the current global economic crisis (Linda 2009).
In addition, TVET can also help individuals to escape poverty by providing them with the skills and knowledge to raise their output and generate income. Investing in TVET will be therefore an investment in the future. This is because knowledge and skills are the engine of economic growth and social development.
Therefore, in Lagos State where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Reducing Unemployment among Youths.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that inspite of the huge financial commitment of government in the provision of laboratories; tools and equipment, Anyakoha (1992) stated that these equipment, tools and laboratories lack maintenance. The unfortunate and regrettable state of equipment tools and laboratories have been attributed to inability of the operators to apply preventive and total maintenance culture as at when due, on the equipment tools and laboratories. Poverty reduction or income generation is significant in the lives of the young people after degree education. It is important to learn the power of Nigerian higher education for poverty reduction among the young people and to proffer that Technical and Vocational Education is one of the measures for improvement and supportability of youth empowerment.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to determine the Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Reducing Unemployment among Youths in Kosofe, Lagos State. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To determine the causes of youth unemployment and the consequences of youth unemployment;
- To identify the problems and prospects of vocational and technical education;
- To examine the relevant areas of self independent in vocational and technical education; and
- To understand the skill areas of vocational and technical education that can provide employment for youth in the area under study.
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 are the relevant areas of self independent in vocational and technical education?
- What are the problems and prospects of vocational and technical education?
- What are the causes of youth unemployment and the consequences of youth unemployment?
- What are the skill areas of vocational and technical education that can provide employment for youth in Nigeria?
1.6 Research Hypothesis
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.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There is no significant relationship between vocational and technical education and employment opportunities.
- H1: There is a significant relationship between vocational and technical education and employment opportunities.
Hypothesis Two
- H0: There is no significant impact of unemployment on youth in society.
- H1: There is a significant impact of unemployment on youth in society.
1.7 Significance of Study
The findings will ensure that investment of laboratories and equipment are optimally used for teaching and learning of vocational technical education centers. It will also help find out how vocational and technical education can be of help in addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.8 Scope of Study
The scope of this research focuses on the Role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Reducing Unemployment among Youths. It is limited towards Kosofe Local Government Area in Lagos State.
1.9 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- 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.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- 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).
1.10 Definition of Terms
Vocation: A Latin word which means a calling and an invitation to understand some important tasks.
Unemployment: Unemployment implies lack of employment or refers to a situation where people are not able to find paid work.
Youth: A young person who has not yet reached adulthood and refers to the time period before childhood and adulthood.
