THE PERCEPTION OF INTERIOR DESIGN INDUSTRY ON THE RELEVANCE OF KENYAN INTERIOR DESIGN DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES TO THE JOB MARKET

Abstract

Interior Design (ID) development and growth is being appreciated by many people today than it was in the past. This study evaluated Kenyan Interior Design Diploma Programmes (KIDDPs) on competence and skill training in meeting the manpower needs of the Interior Design Industry (IDI). The objectives of the study were to: determine the respondents’ views on the acquired knowledge and skills; determine the relevance of the ID training facilities at the KIDDPs; assess the respondents’ views on the relevance of the ID diploma curriculum to manpower requirements of the IDI; investigate the training needs of the Kenyan Interior Design Diploma Graduates (KIDDGs); and establish the challenges faced by the KIDDGs with regard to their training. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The study area was Nairobi County, Kenya where majority of interior design firms are located. The target population was KIDDGs who graduated within the last ten years and were practicing in the IDI. Snowball sampling was used to select 120 KIDDGs. Self-administered questionnaires, interviews, and observation were the methods of data collection. Data was coded according to emerging patterns, analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25) and presented using tables and histograms as well as written reports. The study established that the acquired knowledge and skills from the institutions attended by graduates was inadequate. In addition, business-related courses such as business management skills and entrepreneurship were inadequate. Facilities such as well-equipped computer labs and workshops with essential modern equipment were insufficient, insufficient well-trained staff and supply of instructional materials led to inadequate training. Some of the challenges identified included each institution offering ID developed its own curriculum and lack of one governing body to monitor the curriculum quality standards for consistency and uniformity. Further, KIDDGs faced challenges such as being looked down upon by architects and other IDs’ negative attitude towards themselves, less team work between architects and IDs and increased competition. The outcome of this research will be useful to the curriculum developers and Kenyan interior design training institutions in realigning the content and ascertaining whether the knowledge and skills passed to KIDDGs matches the manpower needs of the IDI. The study recommended need for one governing facility in Kenya, need to establish KIDDPs in all the technical institutions for consistency and competent training. ID in Kenya has not yet been professionalized. Therefore, a career resource centre is absolutely necessary in every institution at the secondary level so as to prepare students for future ID careers.