Technical and Vocational Education Training Institutions' Influence on Industry and Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Purpose: With the increasing awareness among global governments on the need to invest in knowledge and skills as a foundation for developing an employable and globally competitive workforce, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is considered pivotal to achieving both national and regional development goals in many countries. The purpose of this study was to establish whether the current TVET training programmes are achieving their purpose of providing the right skill set to the youth to empower and reduce unemployment. The study also identified challenges faced in the TVET sector, and provides recommendations and actions that can be looked into to improve TVET outputs which in turn will contribute to higher industrialization and positively influence Sub-Saharan Africa's sustainable development performance. Methodology: The study was modelled around the empowerment theory. This article also utilized the systematic literature review which focused on previously published academic studies and published journals discussing on TVET institutions, Sustainable Development Goals and the African Industry. Findings: TVET institutions have various challenges that unfortunately include the issue of gender and inclusivity itself. Several works of literature have faulted the striking analysis of the gender issue in TVET as simplified. Gender is only captured in policies and there is a serious gap in implementation coupled with a lack of strong parent strategy that makes developing gender-specific TVET policy much more difficult. In addition, there is the issue of quality and standards, and most important resource and capital creation to meet these questions of quality. The highlight of the achievements in this sector however shows there is great potential. Recommendations: The study recommended that there is a growing need for extensive research, to facilitate better understanding which is thus critical in helping with the provision of evidence for the creation, implementation, monitoring of better policies, and review of the performance of the reforms and other initiatives in this sector. As such, the overall objective therefore should be a continued examination of whether vocational education and training enhance the socio-economic empowerment of youth and women in sub-Saharan Africa as per the sustainable development goals. It will also provide feedback on the quality and relevance of TVET to all stakeholders and its responsiveness to the labor market demand conditions as well as guiding future reforms and investments