Influence of trainees’ personalityon Course Choice inVocational Training Centres inTaitaTaveta County, Kenya

Abstract

Students with strong social skills and personality are more likely to study in social sciences. TaitaTaveta County, Kenya, has 29 vocational training centers offering diverse courses. The effects of personality on course choice in these centers have not been determined. A correlational research design was used to identify associations between variables.Research focuses on course choice determinants among 2,386 trainees and 29 principal managers in TaitaTaveta County VTCs using questionnaires and interviews.The study involved 714 trainees and 7 principal managers, stratified using a Stratified VTC technique. Authorization was obtained from MoE authorities, and data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Chi-square test, ANOVA and regression analysis were used. The proportion of male trainees in TaitaTaveta VTCs was higher than females, with 447 (63.1%) male trainees and 261 (36.9% female) participants. Most trainees were between 15-19 years old. Most of the Principal Managers 85.7%, were diploma holders. Majority of the principal managers 85.7% had 6-10 years’ experience. The majority of the respondents (58.5%) agreed that they were limited to their course choice by their personality.Trainees’ personality significantly predicted course choice, F 0.05(1,706) = 12.870, p< 0.05, which indicates that the trainees’ personality played a significant role in shaping the course choice (b=0.337, p<0.05). In conclusion, the trainees’ personality greatly influenced course choice. Trainees researched VTC courses to determine employment opportunities, focusing on demand, marketable, and direct job opportunities.