Soft skills preparation as panacea for self - employment for TVET technician graduates in Kenya

Abstract

The main a im of the paper was to assess how effect of soft skills on self - employment among Technical and Vocational Education and Training technician graduates in Kenya. The specific soft skills investigated in this study were practice time management, solve problem s, work independently, interpersonal skills, communication skills, decision making skill, creativity/innovations and adaptability on self - employment among TVET graduates. This study was based on pragmatic research paradigm using embedded research design. T he study targeted 527 technician graduate from TVET institutions in Uasin Gishu county Kenya. Simple random was used to select 320 sample size. Quantitative data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. The interview trans cripts were analysed using thematic analysis. Multiple Regression analysis was done to test hypothesis. Findings showed that TVET institutions did not inculcate soft skills content required for survival in self - employment. The generic skills tested were r anked from highly perceived as good to the least good: time management, ability to solve problems, ability to work autonomously, interpersonal skills, communication skills, decision making, creativity and innovative skills, and adaptability. However, despi te time management being ranked the highest it had no effect on self - employment. Regression results revealed that ability to solve problems, ability to work independently, interpersonal skills, adaptability and creativity and innovations have a positive an d significant effect on self - employment.