Attractiveness of technical vocational education and training among Ghanaian youth – any sign of hope?

Purpose This study investigates the level of Ghanaian youth's interest in Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) certification courses, using career outcome expectations and demographic characteristics such as age, gender and educational attainment, as framed by the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT). Design/methodology/approach Employing a descriptive cross-sectional survey design, the research engaged 691 youth selected through quota sampling. Data collection was conducted via computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI), and chi-square tests were used to analyse the relationships between demographic variables and interest in TVET. Findings The analysis revealed that 97% of respondents are interested in pursuing TVET courses. Interest levels were significantly associated with age, particularly among youth aged 10 -14 years and above 25 years but showed no significant differences based on gender or educational attainment. The results also show that a greater proportion (64%) of the respondents prefer self-employment careers to formal employment-seeking careers (36%) after completing TVET certification courses. Research limitations/implications The study’s cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data from a specific geographical area limits the generalizability of findings to broader contexts. Practical implications The high interest in TVET among the youth suggests a need to increase investment in TVET infrastructure and curriculum development to meet this demand. Social implications The absence of significant gender differences in TVET interest suggests progress toward gender equality in vocational education, which could contribute to reducing occupational segregation. Originality/value This study uniquely contributes to the literature by applying SCCT to explore how demographic characteristics and career outcome expectations converge to influence young people's interest in TVET in a non-Western context. It extends the applicability of SCCT, demonstrating its relevance in understanding the dynamics of TVET attractiveness among youth in Ghana.