TVET Training on Youth Empowerment: A Case Study of Kisumu County, Kenya

TVET is recognized for equipping learners with practical, industry-relevant skills, empowering them for self-employment and entrepreneurship which enhances productivity and innovation leading to national economic growth and development. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of TVET in empowerment has been critiqued both academic and practical spheres. Critics argue that while TVET holds potential for skill development and economic inclusion, its actual impact is often undermined by issues such as poor-quality training, limited alignment with labor market needs and inadequate industry collaboration. In an attempt to address these critiques, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness of TVET training in enhancing youth empowerment Kisumu County, Kenya. The study was anchored on empowerment theory. The study focused on a population of 20,857 individuals, which included 20,814 TVET students, 42 heads of TVET institutions, and 1 County Education Officer from the Kisumu County Government. A sample size of 379 was calculated using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) formula. Sampling was conducted using disproportionate stratified random sampling. Data collection was carried out through structured questionnaires and an interview guide. The analysis of the data involved content analysis, along with descriptive and inferential statistics. The linear relationships between variables were examined using Pearson’s Correlation analysis. The coefficient of relationship between TVET training and empowerment was r =0.95, indicating a very strong positive relationship. The government should increase allocation of financial resources to TVET institutions and regularly review TVET curricula to ensure they reflect the evolving demands of the labor market. Professionals in TVET should promote industry-TVET collaborations and develop training programs that not only focus on technical skills but also incorporate soft skills, entrepreneurship, and leadership training to empower youth holistically.