Social Entrepreneurship Education effectiveness in Technical Vocational Education and Training Colleges: The case of South Western Townships, South Africa

The study aimed to examine the current provision of social entrepreneurship education in the context of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) students in South Africa, with the goal of improving the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Additionally, the study investigates TVET colleges’ efforts in motivating and equipping graduates to start their own businesses. The study adopted the positivist-oriented research philosophy that facilitates the robust explanation and prediction of the phenomenon for the generalisability of the findings reliably and validly. The methodology used depicted the interconnectedness and correlation between the dependent and independent variables. The findings revealed the significance of investing in social entrepreneurship education for policymakers and authorities, as it aligns with behavioural intentions, ultimately benefiting students in their post-graduation challenges. Findings further reinforced the critical role of nuanced and bespoke social entrepreneurship education, strategic and intentional key approaches, and a concomitant orientation amid adversity. The discussion amplified collaborative and synergistic efforts by decision-making stakeholders in a multi-disciplinary approach that includes private and public loci of control. The study’s recommendations signify the gap in the management of social entrepreneurship education in a comprehensive and consolidated manner that also incorporates accountability and reinforces constitutional management. The study contributes to research by highlighting the critical and pivotal role that TVET entities can play in reducing socio-economic challenges and mitigating the current wastage of institutional resources invested in this critical higher learning sector, while unemployment, poverty, and income inequality persist among graduates. Keywords: Social Entrepreneurship Education, TVET Colleges, and Entrepreneurship Intentions, Institutions