MECHANISM FOR IMPROVING ENTRAPRENEURIAL COMPETENCIES NEEDED BY STUDENTS OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AT TERTIARY LEVEL FOR EMPLOYMENT.

Abstract

 This study is on mechanism for improving entrepreneurial competencies needed by students of technical and vocational education for employment. The design of the study was a survey.  The population of the study included all the 293 final year students of tertiary institutions in Enugu State offering technical education (electrical/electronic option). A total of 293 students formed the respondents to the questionnaire. Three research questions were raised for the study. A structured twenty (20) questionnaire items divided into three sections were used to elicit information from the respondents. Frequency, means and standard deviation were used to analysed the data collected. The findings of the study include: team Leadership skills are the highest possessed followed by Perceptions of Trustworthiness skills by the students, Acquisition of skills through apprenticeship system, industrial training programme and career club are mechanism for improving entrepreneurial competencies. It was also deduced that inadequate number of qualified teachers, portfolio of knowledge of many entrepreneur trainers is relatively narrow,core competencies needed by the students are not taught, the paradigm behind the education and training of entrepreneurs is still basically of a technical nature. It was recommended that Students should learn to trust and be trusted as an intending entrepreneur, should readily accept suggestions and corrections to allow improvement on themselves and students should try to acquire the qualities of a good leader to be able to lead others.