Cooperative Training as a Means of Implementing Dual Training Model for Sustainable Employment Opportunity in SNNPR, Gedeo Zone

Cooperative training in vocational education is a dual training system developed in collaboration between businesses and TVET institutions. It aimed to provide trainees with employable skills by spending the majority of their courses in practical sessions. The main objective of the study is to explore the role of cooperative training in tracking unemployment in TVET colleges. To achieve this goal, three major research questions were formulated. These are the current cooperative training statuses. How does cooperative training help to reduce unemployment? What factors are influencing cooperative training? To answer these research questions, 385 research participants were involved for both quantitative and qualitative data. Multistage sampling was employed. An embedded mixed research design was used. Both descriptive (frequency, percentage, and mean) and inferential (ANOVA and regression) statistics were implemented to analyze the data. A survey questionnaire, an interview guide, and document analysis were employed as data collection tools. The study identified that, despite its weaknesses, the current status of cooperative training is promising. It is significantly contributing to tracking youth unemployment. However, it is distressed due to a lack of adequate demand assessment, weak collaboration in partnerships, and an inadequate amount of industry and enterprise. It is recommended that TVET colleges plan workshops and trainer training to equip them with the skills needed to conduct demand assessments in collaboration with nearby universities. Likewise, a strong partnership should be maintained with the government and non-government sectors of the zone and regional states to eliminate challenges.