Technical vocational education and current labour market needs

This study found its origin in attempting to determine how vocational education and training [in state-run technical institutes] prepared [business management technicians] for the current labour market [in Trinidad and Tobago]. Semi-structured interviews, opinionnaires, academic records and a mailed questionnaire were the survey instruments utilised for data collection. Pertinent criteria (dependent variables) examined were: time taken to obtain present job; job relatedness; job preparedness; job satisfaction with kind of work done, physical work environment, salary received and career opportunities; job stability; academic aspirations; recommendations for improvement of the present job; and future area of specialisation. The action and interaction of independent variables as they impinged on the aforementioned dependent variables were carefully examined. Independent variables included for example age cohort, sex, present job status, [among others].

Varying significant relationships were noted amongst the 35 variables. Pertinent recommendations included: the integration of computer applications into the training programmes; proper nationwide recognition of the technician's role in society; and the incorporation of incentives for mastery.

Abstract from publisher's website. Show less