The Relevance Of Youth Polytechnics’ Programmes Towards Youth Employment: A Study Of Chepkorio And Iten Youth Polytechnics In The Larger Keiyo District

Abstract

The study examined the relevance of youth polytechnics’ programmes towards youth employment in Kenya using Chepkorio and Iten Youth Polytechnics as case study. Particularly, the study sought to establish factors that make YPs programmes not relevant to the world of work. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, four specific research objectives were addressed: firstly, to establish programme levels offered at the Youth Polytechnic in Keiyo District, secondly, to establish the relationship between contemporary job requirements and the relevance of the programmes offered by the Youth Polytechnics in the district, thirdly, to establish the contribution of YP programmes towards alleviation of youth unemployment and fourthly, to establish the challenges faced by the Youth Polytechnic in their quest for market relevance programmes The study was conducted in Chepkorio and Iten in the larger Keiyo district of Kenya. The target population of this study comprises of youth polytechnic’s trainees, youth polytechnic graduates, instructors, Project Managers and their deputies, employers and opinion shaper’s from the community. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select a sample size of the respondents in the study area. The study approach was both quantitative and qualitative. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, observations and document analysis. Statistical package for social scientists (SPSS) were used to analyze the data collected. The findings of the study established the correlation between youth polytechnic programme levels and the market relevance or employment opportunities, since a programme level cannot be relevant in the job market and fail to offer employment- opportunities to the trainees. The study thus concludes that the higher the programme level, the higher the chances of access to employment. The study has also established a correlation between employment determinants and access to employment opportunities. When the determinants of employment are built into a programme, the programme is enriched and thus suitable for employment. The more the determinant of employment is integrated into the youth polytechnic programmes, the more the programmes become marketable and thus the more they enhance the trainee’s access to the employment opportunities. It was established that when the required knowledge and skills by employers are incorporated into the programme, and when the job specifications are known then the programmes will provide knowledge and skills for self-employment, leading to enhanced access to employment. The study will serve as an instruction for reformation of the TVET school system to go well with the current trends in skill. In addition, the project gave focus on the process which must be put in place if there is need to improve VET in Kenya. The findings will inform the development of VET in Kenya. Indeed, it is anticipated that the Government and other stakeholders will benefit from this study as a direction indicator on the way forward in the reforming of Youth polytechnic training in Kenya. The findings will provide policy makers, TVET development practitioners and entrepreneurs with insights and lessons regarding the role and value of youth polytechnic in facilitating and vsupporting the establishment and growth of micro-enterprises and how and why these can be linked to sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction in Kenya.