Influence of the Mode of Training on the Level of Satisfaction of Marine Engineering TVET Graduates from the Coastal Region of Kenya

Abstract

The Government of Kenya has instituted rapid and far reaching reforms in the TVET sector since 2010. Recently; expansion of the marine sector has created a demand for increased manpower in the field of marine engineering. The government of Kenya has put up institutions to offer this line of training. In terms of exposure to workplace-based learning, there are three competing modes of technical training in Kenya-the apprenticeship, modular and regular programs. This study assessed how each of the three modes of training influences the level of satisfaction of graduates of marine engineering programs from TVET institutions in the coastal region of Kenya. The study was anchored on the theory of intuition. Research design adopted the process of descriptive survey with a quantitative approach. The study area was the coastal region of Kenya. The target population was 425 marine engineering students who have spent 6 months since course completion. The study sampled out 243 graduates. The research instrument was a questionnaire. Respondents were categorized by gender and the three modes of training; modular; apprentice and regular programs. Analysis was conducted using a chi-square homogeneity model at 5 percent level of significance and 2 degrees of freedom and was run on SPSS. The hypothesis that all modes of training had an influence on the level of satisfaction of TVET students was proven. The major finding was that students were satisfied with the various modes of training as currently formatted and implemented. There is no need for the government to take extraordinary measures to restructure the programs. However, graduates universally complained of the insufficient manner in which information was provided on jobs, careers and general counseling and guidance. Further research should be done to establish how best colleges could improve information services on prospective careers. Future research should include larger samples.