VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION: PANACEA FOR JOB CREATION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA
Authors:
Dr. D. Moses
Abstract:
This paper discussed Vocational and Technical Education as a panacea for job creation and national development. Despite the growing level of un-employability of graduates, it is disturbing to observe that many youths still scramble to acquire entrepreneurship skills. The dream of many secondary school leavers is to go to higher institutions and study one of those lucrative courses which they feel can confer a sense of pride in them. As technological changes occur at unprecedented speeds, it becomes increasingly important to develop mechanisms that can foster skills highly demanded in emerging careers. There is no gainsaying the fact that Vocational and Technical Education and Training (VTET) is what Nigerians need to keep pace with employment demand in a technologically-driven economy and for national development. The question still remains, what reforms are necessary for VTE to enable it to take the lead in equipping young Nigerians with relevant life skills that will foster the creation of functional jobs to impact positively on the nation’s development. It was concluded that our youths need education empowerment, the type offered by Vocational and Technical Education which is designed to equip the learners with skills and competencies, hence, there needs to make stringent efforts to vocational education in Nigeria and that the government at both federal and state levels should finance and equip Vocational and Technical institutions or departments with necessary facilities and infrastructure that will enhance effective teaching and learning in such a way that required skills for self-employment will be developed in the learners.