EFFECT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION ON ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION OF POLYTECHNIC STUDENTS

ABSTRACT
This study examined the effect of entrepreneurship education on entrepreneurial intention of graduating polytechnic students who have been exposed to the course. It also sought to determine the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial skill, influence of family background on decision to start a business and gender difference in entrepreneurial intention. The study population comprised all graduating Higher National Diploma Students of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Ozoro, and Ogwashi-Uku given at 5,138 students. The sampling methods employed were the multi stage, purposive and quota sampling techniques which led to a selection of a sample size of 390 using the Yameni (1967) formula. The instrument used is questionnaire. The analysis of data collected employed descriptive statistical analysis, regression and t-test analysis for test of hypotheses. It was found that entrepreneurship education has a positive significant relationship with entrepreneurial intention and entrepreneurial skill, that family business background has a strong influence on entrepreneurial intention and that there is no difference in entrepreneurial intentions of male and female. The study therefore recommends based on the research findings, continuous development and improvement of existing entrepreneurship programmes by institutions, that assistance given to graduates of the Delta State Government Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) should be extended to polytechnic graduates and that incubation centres be established in strategic locations in Delta State to provide enabling environment and support for polytechnic graduates in their entrepreneurial pursuits.