EFFECTIVENESS OF TRAINING ON SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AMONGST TRAINEES IN BUILDING AND CIVIL ENGINEERING IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION TRAINING INSTITUTIONS IN UGANDA

Abstract

This study investigated the effectiveness of training on skills development amongst trainees in building and civil engineering in Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions in Uganda. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) involves studying technologies and science, offering the youth opportunity to acquire skills, attitudes, and knowledge in various occupations to match with the world of work. The purpose of the study was to explore the effectiveness of training on skills development amongst trainees in building and civil engineering in TVET institutions in Uganda. The study was guided by the following research questions; “Which factors affect skills development in technical and vocational education and training institutions in building and civil engineering; how is technical and vocational education and training conducted for skills development amongst trainees in building and civil engineering; what effect does skills development have amongst trainees in building and civil engineering and which strategies could be used for improving on skills development amongst trainees in building and civil engineering? The study adopted cross-sectional analytical type of design because of its schedules to collect data about the effectiveness of training on skills development amongst trainees in building and civil engineering in TVET institutions in Uganda. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews, from 317 trainees, trainers, managers of industries, technicians and heads of department in building and civil engineering sector. The data collected was coded then entered, cleaned analyzed descriptively into statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), then cleaned and presented in the form of descriptive statistics. The findings revealed a strong consensus among respondents regarding factors affecting skills development in Technical and Vocational Educational and training in technical institutions in Uganda. It was concluded that: Level of education of trainers, Training facilities, were considered significant factors because they were rated above average. Formative and Summative evaluation of trainees on internship by industry and institutions’ supervisors, are significant factors because of their categorization of workers in industry, is considered the study also identified challenges such as curriculum misalignment, lack of modern infrastructure, and financial constraints. It was therefore recommended that practical work, be aligned with constructivist principles, be emphasized for hands-on in order to match with world of work. It was also recommended that TVET institutions should conduct regular evaluations of training methods to gauge effectiveness of training on skills development amongst trainees of building and civil engineering sector. Also adopt flexible approaches to accommodate diverse learning preferences, recognizing that trainees may have different perceptions of effective learning methods that could improve their training on skills development. TVET institutions should encourage collaboration with Industry Partners to foster close collaboration in training of trainees. The purposes of enhancing trainees on skills development, prepare them for successful integrations into the world of work. In conclusion TVET institutions should focus on modernizing the equipment and tools to match with curricula to keep pace with technological advancements. In industry, standards in a way of emphasizing practical work, projectbased learning, and should be encouraged to bridge the gap between theory and practice, when providing trainees with hands-on practical as a way of improving on skills development amongst trainees on their learning experiences.