INFLUENCE OF PARTNERSHIPS ON QUALITY OF TECHNICAL VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET): A CASE OF TVET INSTITUTIONS IN RIFT VALLEY AND WESTERN KENYA REGION

Abstract

Although Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions facilitate the acquisition of the practical and applied skills necessary for the world of work, several research findings have revealed that these institutions have limitations and challenges in equipping learners with relevant skills for the job market in many countries including Kenya. Partnerships between TVET institutions and Enterprises can greatly enhance the acquisition of relevant Knowledge, skills and attitudes required for the world of work. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the influence of partnerships between Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and enterprises in terms of promotion of access to training by learners, curriculum development, Practical training, Teacher training and the challenges associated with such partnerships in general in their endeavor to achieve quality and relevant education and training. The research adopted mixed methods approach and utilizing descriptive survey design. The study targeted administrative staff of technical training institutions in rift valley and western Kenya regions. Using purposive random sampling, the researcher identified a sample of 40 administrative staff from 12 institutions spread across Rift Valley and Western Kenya region. Data was collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGD) and interview schedule. Qualitative data from Interviews and FGD was transcribed and read several times in a bid to identify categories of emerging topics and sub-topics which were clustered to form themes. Emerging themes were presented through narration citing direct quotes, excerpts and re-contextualized into reviewed literature. The quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies and percentages and presented by use of frequency tables. Majority of the respondents (22.5%) stated that Partnerships played a role in supplying curriculum instruction materials which were received as grants or donations from enterprises. Only 7.5% of them reported the use of resource persons from enterprises in curriculum instruction. About 100% of the respondents reported that TVET partners contributed in practical training support system through industrial training support, construction of Laboratories/Workshop and donation of training equipment. The partnership was reported to have played a role in training of TVET trainers programs through in-service training for teachers (25%) and industrial attachment of Teachers (8%). Based on activities that promotes access to TVET such as scholarships offered to students by enterprises stood at (75%). Challenges related to effective communication (67.5%), organizational structures (60%) and differing goals (52.5%) were reported to be the main challenges associated with TVET partnerships. Despite the challenges faced by the partnerships, the study concluded that TVET partnerships have considerable contribution to curriculum development, practical training, teacher in service training and equity in access to training. The findings have provided an inside of how TVET Partnerships is practiced in Kenya. The challenges constraining the partnerships have been put to the fore and procedures for best practice outlined. This findings is considered useful to the policy makers in the ministry of education, heads of TVET institutions, industry players and coordinators of industrial training in TVET institutions in Kenya and beyond Therefore, there is need to address challenges facing TVET partnerships to maximize their performance in technical vocational education and training (TVET) in rift valley and western Kenya regions.