Analysis Of Infrastructural Support And Trainer Attributes In Technical, Industrial, Vocational And Entrepreneurship Training (Tivet) Institutions In Kenya

The purpose of this study was to analyze infrastructural support and trainer attributes in TIVET institutions in Kenya. Technical, Industrial, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TIVET) is acknowledged as a means of transforming and empowering the youth with skills, knowledge and attitudes to enable them become productive members of the society. The objective of the study were: 1) to establish the qualification of staff in selected institutions offering clothing and textile courses, 2) to determine training needs of staff in the selected TIVET institutions offering clothing and textile courses, 3) to establish the status of equipment and physical facilities used for training in clothing and textile courses and 4) to establish methods used in teaching clothing and textile courses in TIVET institutions. Descriptive survey design was used for the study. The samples included 8 technical institutes and 10 institutes of technology in Kenya offering courses in clothing and textile and were examined by Kenya National Examination Council. The respondents were the principals, deputy principals, lecturers, technicians and students in 18 TIVET institutions. A total of 452 respondents participated in the study (consisting of 250 second year students taking a diploma course in clothing and textile, 18 technicians, 148 lecturers and 36 principals and deputy principals). Questionnaires were 250 for second years, 166 for Lectures and Technicians. Interview schedules were 36 for principal and their deputies and observation check-lists were 250 for students which were used as instruments for the study. The researcher used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) tool to analyse the data. Both the qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were used. Descriptive statistics such as percentages and frequencies were used to report data. Data were presented in form of frequency tables, bar graphs, and pie charts. The results showed that the academic staff members were academically qualified; however, there was need for them to upgrade their technical skills. The study also found that there was further training need for the academic staff in the institutions studied as indicated by all the staff. The trainings required was in:entrepreneurship, bachelor degree in Clothing and textiles, use of IT in clothing and textile, machine maintenance, Diploma in clothing technology, technical skills upgrading and masters‟ degree in fashion design. On the status of equipment and physical facilities, the study found that 172 (86%) of the respondents indicated that the facilities were inadequate. On training methods used, the study established that practical work, lecture and teachers‟ notes, demonstration, questions and answers and class discussion were used often. It was recommended that the Government should provide additional learning and training equipment to replace the out-dated ones. Teachers should go for additional training to upgrade their skills. It was suggested that a study needs to be done to establish the relevance of the curriculum used in TIVET institutions.