The influence of entrepreneurial competencies on entrepreneurial career option among polytechnic students in Nigeria

Entrepreneurship is gradually becoming a parameter of measuring socio-economic developments among nations. Entrepreneurship is helping the growth of economies by creating additional jobs, wealth, and reducing the incidence of abject poverty. Developed countries ascribe their achievements to technological development, scientific break-through, improved communication and information technology, and competitive advantage gained through their entrepreneurial competencies and adventures. The objective of this paper is to examine the significance of entrepreneurial skills and their influence on entrepreneurial career option. Entrepreneurial competencies seek to create awareness among students about entrepreneurship as the appropriate career option to engage after graduation, as well as impart the needed social skills and knowledge of the use of insights and intuitions to identify and exploit opportunities to start a business. A quantitative approach was used involving a total of 505 questionnaires distributed to polytechnic students in Nigeria. A total of 425 questionnaires were completed and returned with a response rate of 84.2 percent. Data were analysed using SmartPLS 3; results indicate a significant positive influence of know-who and know-when competencies on entrepreneurial career option. The study was consistent with earlier studies on the relationship between entrepreneurial competencies and entrepreneurial career option among students. The findings of the study will be of immense benefit to the government, education regulatory agencies, higher education institutions, and the general public. Further, the study will serve as a framework for future reference and assist in formulating future policies on entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Keywords: Entrepreneurial career option, entrepreneurial competencies; polytechnic