SKILLS ACQUISITION PROGRAM AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study examines the relationship between skills acquisition program and entrepreneurial development in Edo State. Skills acquisition program cannot be delivered by rote - learning or mere chalk and talk method which is teacher based. Skills acquisition program can only be effectively communicated practically with the use of relevant materials. The lack of standard and well equipped skills acquisition interventionist agencies in most of our state and the non-availability of qualified trainers have been identified as a major cause of the poor performance of trainees in Edo state. The researcher employed survey design in which primary data was obtained through questionnaire administration. The researcher employed tables and simple percentage method to analyze the research questions. However, the simple ANOVA regression technique is used to test hypotheses 1 to 3, while the multiple regression technique is used to test the fourth hypothesis of the study in order to show the strength of the relationship between the variables of study. Related econometric test analyses were conducted such as normality, serial correlation, homoscedasticity and multicollinearity tests. Findings from the regression results revealed thatthere is a significant relationship between the numbers of registered skills acquisition centres in the state and entrepreneurial development in Edo State. Also, there is a significant relationship between the numbers of youths trained and entrepreneurial development in Edo State. There is a significant relationship between government assistance to skills acquisition centres and entrepreneurial development in Edo State. Finally, there are significant joint effects of numbers of registered skills acquisition centres in the state, the numbers of youths trained and government assistance to skills acquisition centres on entrepreneurial development in Edo State. It can therefore be concluded that there is a significant relationship between skills acquisition program and entrepreneurial development in Edo State. However, the researcher recommended that Vocational training that has direct relevance to the lives of the trainees should be offered in skill acquisition centres so that, they can easily be absorbed into industries or become self-employed. Skill acquisition centres should be well-equipped with the needed materials and equipment by the government, NGOs and other private organizations for effective skills acquisition training. Assistance in-terms of soft-loan or equipment (where appropriate) should be given to graduates of skills acquisition centres by the government and commercials banks to encourage them become self-employed.