TVET Institutions and Industry Collaborative Practices on Electronics Laboratory Training for Skill Acquisition among Technician Trainees in Kenya

Abstract

Aims: To establish if there exist any Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)-industry collaborative practices to aid electronics laboratory training in TVET institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya. Study Design: Qualitative research design. Place and Duration of Study: Electrical and Electronics Departments of public Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in Nairobi County Kenya, between September 2019 and March 2020. Methodology: Qualitative phenomenological research design was employed. The target population comprised of eight (8) Head of Departments (HODs) and eight (8) electronics experts drawn from electrical and electronics departments in the 8 public TVET institutions in Nairobi County. All HODs were selected for an interview while purposive sampling was used to select experts for a focus group discussion. An interview schedule and a focus group discussion guide were developed and administered face to face. Qualitative data obtained was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Sample sizes for Focus Group Discussion (FGD)and HODs was 8 each. The response rate was 100% and 75% respectively. The findings of study revealed that TVET institutions were aware of the skills needed in the industry although the institutions did not have collaboration with the industry. The institutions had tried to incorporate industry skills in laboratory practice on their own without input from the industry. Conclusion: It was concluded that TVET institutions had little interest in seeking out collaborations with the industry. It was therefore recommended that TVET institutions should develop collaborations with specific industries for purposes of supporting laboratory instruction.