Factors Influencing Choice Of Vocational Courses By Learners With Hearing Impairments In Selected Vocational Training Centres, Kenya

ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the factors influencing choice of vocational courses by learners with Hearing Impairments (HI) in selected Vocational Training Centres (VTCs), Kenya. The objectives of the study were: types of vocational courses, learners‟ career aspirations, peer influence and factors within the school environment that facilitate choice of vocational courses. Literature was reviewed according to the objectives of the study. The research study adopted mixed method approach design in achieving its objectives. Data was collected from selected VTCs in Kenya. The study was piloted at Tumutumu VTC for learners with HI to establish validity and reliability of the instruments. Purposive sampling was used in the selection of the institutions, administrators, instructors and learners. Stratified sampling was used to select male and female learners. Four administrators, eleven instructors, sixty-two learners all in the three years of study in VTCs participated in the study. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides for administrators, instructors and learners with HI respectively. Descriptive statistics in SPSS such as frequency tables, percentages, graphs and charts were used to analyse quantitative data while thematic texts were used to analyse qualitative data. The data were then triangulated to generalise conclusions on the finding of the study. The results findings of this study indicated that most of the vocational courses offered in VTCs were tailoring, masonry, carpentry and joinery and beauty therapy and were relevant to job market. The study also established that peers influenced how learners with HI choose vocational courses and acted as role models and they encouraged each other to choose same courses they had undertaken. The study also found out that learners with HI lacked career awareness in the choice of vocational courses due to lack of proper guidance by the parents/guardians and also partly by the instructors and this greatly influenced how they choose their vocational courses. The study showed that factors within the school environment influence the type of vocational courses learners with HI choose and that instructors advise the learners on how to choose vocational courses depending on their interest and abilities. It is thus recommended that on the effect of peer influence on the choice of vocational courses, the VTCs should employ or hire career experts whose responsibilities should be to guide learners on the suitability of various courses. Further research should be done to investigate on the value of attachment and internships during vocational training in VTCs.