Technical Education, Vocational Training and Industrialisation in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA)

This study contributes to a deeper understanding and perspective on the current debate on structural transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by investigating the effect of technical vocational education and training on industrial performance between 1980 - 2018. The panel data used for this study were obtained from World Development Indicators (WDI), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Fraser Institute databases. The empirical results derived from the Instrumental Variable (IV) Two-Stage Least Squares (2-SLS) econometric approach highlighted the important role of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as key determinants of industrial performance in SSA. The study found strong and robust relationship between TVET and measures of industrialisation. General secondary education, on the other hand, had a negative effect on industrialisation in SSA. The paper recommends therefore that there is the need for a complete overhaul and revision of the educational system in SSA with more emphasis on TVET in order to meet the required labour demand for industrial needs in the foreseable future.

Workplace learning for pre – service teachers’ practice and quality teaching and learning in technical vocational education and training: key to professional development

Purpose With critical reviews of previous studies in workplace learning, this paper aims to investigate workplace learning for pre-service teachers’ practice and quality teaching and learning in technical vocational education and training: key to professional development. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted multistage sampling technique to select sample for the study. Empirical analysis was adopted to analyse the data collected from technical vocational education and training pre-service teachers. Findings The result of the study revealed that the constructs of social learning theory had a stronger linkage with the constructive teaching than traditional management. Originality/value This study emphasizes the need to adequately train pre-service teachers on instructional delivery processes, building strong relationship with learners and build the ability to organize and execute necessary actions required to successfully carry out a specific educational task in a particular context.

The benefits of exposing post-secondary students to entrepreneurship training in Trinidad and Tobago

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serves as a pillar for economic stability globally. Entrepreneurship education provides young people with essential skills that can be used in a positive manner, thus enabling them to be employers rather than employees. Marrying TVET and entrepreneurship education can help Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in tremendous ways. These two subjects TVET and entrepreneurship can lift T&T to global prestige. Given this context, the study explored the benefits of exposing Post-Secondary TVET students to entrepreneurial training. An investigation was carried out using a mix-methods approach. The use of regression analysis and Spearman’s Correlation Analysis were used that determine the relationship between exposing Post-Secondary Technical Vocational Education and Training Students (PSTVETS) to entrepreneurship education and their interest in entrepreneurial training. Additionally, qualitative data was incorporated by utilising content analysis, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The data revealed there was an absence of entrepreneurship education. Upon further investigation there was no real entrepreneurship culture or framework implemented within the PS schools. The results also showed the more students are exposed to entrepreneurship education more they are inclined to pursue entrepreneurship endeavours. Data also allowed the reader to grasped copious challenges experienced within TVET in T&T, that impacts on entrepreneurial training within post-secondary institutions in T&T. The researchers put forward an entrepreneurship education model that can be incorporated in the training of post-secondary schools. Additionally a strategy was articulated as to how entrepreneurship education can be adopted within the training of post-secondary institutions. Providing an adequate framework for entrepreneurial training within entrepreneurship education, and TVET provides originality and contribution to the field of TVET and entrepreneurship education.

Pedagogical Challenges in the Teaching of N-Level 4 Economics

The lack of relevant Teacher Education Training Programme (TETP) specifically for economics teachers in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges globally, including South Africa has posed many challenges for teachers. This study reports on the pedagogical challenges of Economics teachers with Postgraduate Certificate (PGCE): Further Education and Training (FET) phase teaching N-level 4 economics in Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges. The study investigated the pedagogical challenges experienced by economics teachers during the teaching and learning of N-Level 4 economics in one college at Motheo Technical and Vocational Education and Training College. The seven categories of teacher knowledge by Shulman's (1987), underpinned this study. In addition, the pedagogical challenges of Business Studies in secondary schools by Kimotho (2016) serve as a lens to understand the economics teachers’ challenges in a Technical, Vocational Education, and Training college. This qualitative research approach used an exploratory case study research design, and selected two economics teachers purposefully and their students who were observed in two different classrooms and later interviewed individually. The findings revealed that the economics teachers displayed five pedagogical challenges associated with content knowledge (CK), curriculum knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), knowledge of students, and the interaction with students. Based on the study’s limitation, there is a need to identify the educational implications on economics teachers’ pedagogical challenges when teaching economics to N-Level 4 students.