Proposed Framework for Effective Collaboration between TVET Institutions and Industry for Enhancing Employability Skills: Evidence from Selected Institutions in Uganda

Abstract

Effective collaborations between TVET institutions and industry play a significant role in the acquisition of technical and soft skills by the learners and in sharing knowledge. This study focused on proposing a framework towards effective collaboration between TVET institutions and the industry to enhance the employability skills of the graduates. The study utilised qualitative responses from 217 trainers, including heads of academic departments, 11 principals of TVET institutions, and 18 industry experts, including operational managers, human resources, and staff. The qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis supported by Dedoose software. The framework was developed using the Context Input Process Product (CIPP) model. The participants identified key collaborating areas, including: curriculum development, industrial training, training of staff, and sharing training resources. More so, the participants identified facilitating activities that supplement the core mechanisms identified, including seminars, workshops, and cocurricular activities. Nonetheless, the results established that this partnership experiences barriers such as poor communication, varying policies, values, cultures, resource gaps, financial constraints, and limited skills of some trainers. The framework emphasises clear stakeholder involvement, clear collaboration mechanisms and strategies, collaborative resource mobilisation, streamlined communication, reporting and feedback channels, and monitoring and evaluation of collaboration for effectiveness. This framework is a useful resource towards building strong and meaningful partnerships between the TVET institutions and the industry, which facilitates practical training to improve the skills of the trainees, thus meeting the skills requirements of the job market.