Challenges and Prospects of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): Evidence from Sawla TVET College, Gamo Gofa Zone, SNNPRS, Ethiopia

The main purpose of this study was to assess the challenges and prospects of Sawla TVET College located at Sawla town administration, South Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State. The study used descriptive survey method through both quantitative and qualitative approach. The current trainees and senior graduates of the college who are engaged at work in the study area were taken as sample frame from which 253 samples were selected using stratified and simple random sampling methods based on the strata of the population. The current trainees and senior graduates who are engaged at work, the trainers, college management, local government officials, unemployed youths and community representatives were selected as primary data sources whereas secondary data were collected from document analysis of the college and local government. Quantitative data were collected using Questionnaires and the qualitative data via interview, focus group discussions and observations. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 21 which provided the frequency count and the percentage of the responses. The major findings of the study shows that the perception of the public concerning TVET is discouraging that looks it as place of last resort for those who have no were to go, awareness creation of the stakeholders is weak, low access of job in the area is another demotivating factor of the youth not to join TVET, and hence the enrollment of the college is below the target. The trainees are selective in streaming thinking of the job opportunity after completion of the training. The integration of the TVET College with stakeholders is very weak and hence, they are not delivering their responsibilities. The internal capacity of the college is not satisfactory in that it lacks qualified trainers, unavailability of well-functioning machines, and provision of raw materials for practical skills training is not timely and enough. Finally, the study recommends the TVET together with the local government to work on awareness creation of the society about the TVET, to strengthen the integration with stakeholders for increased intake of trainees, employability of the graduates, provision of quality training and industry extension and deal with the region to develop its internal capacity. Addressing these issues would make the future prospect of Sawla TVET College better than ever before. Keywords: Sawla TVET College, Skilled manpower, Employment, MSEs, Industry extension, DOI: 10.7176/JESD/10-5-02 Publication date:March 31st 201