VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: A PIVOTAL FOR SUSTAINABLE EMPLOYMENT IN NIGERIA

Education is the most powerful instrument man has devised towards shaping his own fortune. Vocational Technical Education (VTE) was viewed as the cornerstone for sustainable technological development of a society. Its relevant components hold the key to transforming Nigeria technologically. This paper focuses on VTE as a key to Nigeria’s sustainable employment ( SE). It explored SE, employability and education as better measures to rescue poor employment. This paper also considered the concept, philosophical, goals and objectives, barriers, benefits and features that set VTE in Nigeria sustainable development (SD). Employability and Vocational Education (VE), a better option for SE and developments, were also enumerated. Thus, this paper is expected to empower the stakeholders, especially the policy- makers, so VTE will be readily accepted and adopted as an important component of achieving SD goals through the total learning system that provides relevant knowledge, skills and competencies for employability, quality living and learning outcomes. Consequently, VTE can be seen as the master key with the ability to open all the doors of life-long learning, improve vocational expertise and provide the quality of living that is a component of SD. Hence, VTE should be integrated properly into the general education system. The government should provide adequate funds to support VE, ensure that facilities are provided and maintained and develop a culture of entrepreneurial thinking by integrating entrepreneurship into the nation’s education system. It then recommends VE and its adoption as a better option for SE in Nigeria.