Empowering Youths Through TVET For Sustainable Security and Economic Stability

Abstract

This study investigated the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in empowering youths for sustainable security and economic stability in Nigeria. The study was conducted among selected technical institutions and skill acquisition centres across Plateau State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population comprised 120 youths enrolled in various TVET programmes across the selected institutions, and the entire population was used as the sample due to its manageable size. The study was guided by three (3) specific objectives, three (3) research questions, and three (3) hypotheses. Data were collected using a researcher-developed instrument titled Youth Empowerment through TVET Questionnaire (YETVETQ). Experts in vocational education and measurement and evaluation validated the instrument, and Reliability was established using Cronbach’s alpha (0.836). The study analyzed the collected data using descriptive statistics such as the mean and standard deviation, and tested hypotheses using a t-test at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that TVET programmes significantly contribute to youth empowerment by enhancing practical skills acquisition, promoting self- employment, reducing unemployment, and fostering economic independence among youths. The study further showed that effective participation in TVET programmes contributes to sustainable security by reducing youth involvement in crime and social vices. However, the study identified challenges such as inadequate funding, obsolete training equipment, insufficient qualified instructors, and weak linkages between training institutions and industries as major constraints to effective TVET implementation. The study concluded that TVET is a critical instrument for youth empowerment, sustainable security, and economic stability in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that government and relevant stakeholders should increase funding for TVET programmes, modernize training facilities, strengthen industry collaboration, and implement policies that promote skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development among youths to ensure long-term national development.