INFLUENCE OF ONLINE PLATFORMS ON SKILL DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTHS IN ETSAKO WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

ABSTRACT
This study accessed the influence of online platforms on skill development of youths in Etsako west Local Government Area of Edo State. The purpose of the study was to examine if youths of Etsako west Local Government Area made effective use of online platforms on skill development of youths. The study sought to examine the current situation of youths usage of online platforms on skill development in Etsako west Local Government Area. Five research questions were raised to guide the study.
The descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study in order to collect data for the study. The research instrument employed was a questionnaire titled " Influence of online platforms on skill development questionnaire (IOPSDQ)". A total of one hundred youths from four different communities in Etsako west Local Government Area was adopted as sample for the study.
Based on the obtained and analyzed data the following are the salient findings; Youths in Etsako west Local Government Area know that Khan academy, Coursera, and LinkedIn are types of online platforms on skill development for youths but do not know that Udemy is a type of online platform on skill development for youths. Youths in Etsako west Local Government Area believed online platforms offer various opportunities for gaining and improving skillset of youths and that online platforms play a very large role in skill development of youths. Limited internet access,lack of motivation or self discipline, insufficient time are some of the factors limiting the use of online platforms by youths in Etsako west Local Government Area. Youths in Etsako west Local Government possess the necessary devices to access online learning platforms but cannot access online learning platforms due to lack of necessary finance and socioeconomic factors. Youths of Etsako west Local Government Area believed that there is a strong relationship between the use of online platforms and skill development. Based on these findings it was recommended that government and the various community development agencies should help in the Provision of devices for youths to work if at all possible or at least ensure that any online learning activities can be completed with a smartphone. Community development council should conduct awareness and sensitization programmes or trainings for the youths in the community to educate them on how they can use the various available devices in the community to enhance or develop their skills. This will aid youths in making sure that they can make use of online learning platforms on skill development of youths without any limitations.