ASSESSING THE ROLE OF TVET COLLEGES IN PROMOTING ENTREPRENEURSHIP: THE CASE OF ENTOTO TVET COLLEGE, ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

This study was carried out at Entoto TVET College, Gullele, Addis Ababa. It has focused on assessing the role of TVET College in promoting entrepreneurship. Beside this, the study addressed some major challenges that encountered Entoto TVET college trainees and the required intervention measures taken by all concerned stakeholders. Furthermore, the study also assessed societal benefits such as job opportunities facilitated by the college for graduated students in order to minimize unemployment problems that prevailed throughout the country. For this study, 142 respondents have been selected using purposive sampling technique and statistical formula used for sample size determination as sample of the study. Among these 130 of them were trainees, 10 were graduated students and 2 of them have been taken from administrative officers so as to be provided with adequate information. An attempt have been made to provide appropriate answers to the basic research questions, semi structured questionnaires were prepared to be responded both by trainees and graduated students that developed questions were asked regarding demographic profiles, characteristics of respondents, factors that affect the performance of graduated entrepreneurs engaged in own business and training processes during the stay of students in the college likely with over all supports they need to seek from stakeholders. Careful interview was also held with administrative officers and used as additional data collection tools. After the data is collected, it was analyzed using Ms - excel with simple statistical techniques. The results of the study have been presented by tabulation, graph and charts reveal that sex composition of trainees was almost equivalent, the college gives training in different fields, provision of adequate knowledge and entrepreneurial skills for trainees, mis perception of the society towards TVET and lack of advanced materials for practical training and the likes as the major challenges of Entoto TVET college. The college played great role in producing competent, skilled, motivated and innovative work force that could contributed for poverty reduction, economic and social benefits of the society. Therefore, ensuring societal paradigm shift towards TVET, fulfilling all necessary training equipment, strengthening entrepreneurial skills, employing appropriate training methods, financial and technical support of stakeholders for graduated students were highly recommended to upgrade the services that Entoto TVET gives for the community.