DETERMINANTS OF PRACTICAL SKILLS ACQUISITION IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS IN NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This study investigated the determinants of practical skill acquisition in Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in Narok County. The research was prompted by concerns over rising youth unemployment and the growing shortage of technical skills in Kenya. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), approximately 38.9% of young people are unemployed, partly due to limited access to vocational training. The lack of skilled labor in the construction, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors has slowed economic growth and low turnover. Additionally, inadequate vocational skills among the youth have contributed to financial dependency, unemployment, and increasing social challenges, including crime and substance abuse. The study assesses the availability and adequacy of training infrastructure—such as workshops, laboratories, and equipment—and their influence on enrollment. It also examines the impact of instructor qualifications and trainees’ perceptions of course relevance on participation in vocational programs. Additionally, financial barriers, particularly tuition costs, are analyzed to determine their effect on access to vocational education. This study was anchored in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, Fitts and Posner’s Skill Acquisition Model, and Becker’s Human Capital Theory. It employs a descriptive research design to examine the subject matter. Data was gathered from a sample comprising nine Center Managers, 54 Heads of Departments (HODs), and 312 trainees from public Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) in Narok County. The research utilized questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with findings presented through percentages and frequency distributions. Findings reveal that inadequate facilities (72.72%), a shortage of qualified trainers (70.10%), and financial constraints (88.33%) significantly hinder vocational training. To address these challenges, the study recommends increased government investment in infrastructure, recruitment of qualified trainers, and expansion of financial aid programs. Strengthening industry partnerships would further enhance course relevance and improve employment prospects for graduates.