INFLUENCE OF THE MODE OF TRAINING ON THE LEVEL OF SATISFACTION OF MARINE ENGINEERING TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (TVET) PROGRAMS GRADUATES FROM THE COASTAL REGION OF KENYA

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has instituted rapid and far-reaching reforms in the TVET sector since 2010. Recently, expansion of the marine sector has created a demand for increased manpower in the field of marine engineering. The Government of Kenya has put up training institutes to offer this line of training, mainly in the coastal region of Kenya. Workplace based learning has been made a critical component of any technical training program in Kenya. In terms of exposure to workplace-based learning, there are three competing modes of technical training in Kenya. The apprenticeship, modular and regular programs. This study assessed how each of the three modes of training influences the level of satisfaction of graduates of marine engineering programs from TVET institutes in the coastal region of Kenya. The study was anchored on the Theory of Intuition postulated by the Dreyfus brothers, taking into account Barber’s workplace-based learning model. Research design adopted the process of descriptive survey with a quantitative approach. The study area was the coastal region of Kenya. The target population was 425 marine engineering graduates who have spent six months since completing college. Out of these 243 individuals were sampled out for study. The sample determination formula of Krejcie and Morgan was used alongside a process of simple random sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The research instrument was tested for validity through appraisal by research supervisors. Reliability of the instrument was determined by piloting and Cronbach’s alpha used in the process. Respondents were categorized by gender and the three modes of training; modular; apprentice and regular programs. Analysis was conducted using a chi-square homogeneity model at five percent level of significance and two degrees of freedom. The model was run on statistical package for social sciences. The hypothesis that all modes of training had an influence on the level of satisfaction of TVET students was proven. The major finding is that students are satisfied with the various modes of training as currently formatted and implemented. There is no need for the government to take extraordinary measures to restructure the programs. However, students universally complained of the poor manner in which colleges provided information on jobs, careers and general counselling and guidance. Further research should be done to establish how best colleges could improve information services on prospective careers.