Contribution of Vocational Educational Training on Promoting Self Employment in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania

Abstract

The study was based on the contribution of vocational educational training to promoting self-employment in Tanzania in Morogoro Municipality. Specifically, the study determined the relevance of skills acquired and the skills actualized by Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) Graduates and the Constraints that hinder the VETA graduates from getting into self-employment. This study was guided by a human capital theory which was propounded by Gary Becker and Theodore Schultz, in the 1950s and early 1960s. The theory states that “the more one invests in his/her education, the more returns one should receive in the form of earnings. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis and quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive analysis including index scale measurement. The findings indicated that self-employed VETA graduates performed their duties to generate income for their livelihood. There were different specializations that VETA graduates had, some specialized in driving, however, they were not employed as drivers, and instead, they were self-employed as motorcycle drivers driving commercial motorcycles. The relevance of the skills acquired and the skills actualized was determined by the curriculum used and what was taught in colleges. Also, VETA students have higher expectations of getting employment after graduation. The study concluded that the skills acquired by the VETA graduates are the most likely to be the activities performed by VETA graduates in generating income for their family livelihood. It also concluded that VETA graduates experienced similar constraints when taught about self-employment. The government should make sure that the colleges have advanced and more current equipment to make sure students are well up-to-date with current technology