The benefits of exposing post-secondary students to entrepreneurship training in Trinidad and Tobago

Abstract

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) serves as a pillar for economic stability globally. Entrepreneurship education provides young people with essential skills that can be used in a positive manner, thus enabling them to be employers rather than employees. Marrying TVET and entrepreneurship education can help Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) in tremendous ways. These two subjects TVET and entrepreneurship can lift T&T to global prestige. Given this context, the study explored the benefits of exposing Post-Secondary TVET students to entrepreneurial training. An investigation was carried out using a mix-methods approach. The use of regression analysis and Spearman’s Correlation Analysis were used that determine the relationship between exposing Post-Secondary Technical Vocational Education and Training Students (PSTVETS) to entrepreneurship education and their interest in entrepreneurial training. Additionally, qualitative data was incorporated by utilising content analysis, focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The data revealed there was an absence of entrepreneurship education. Upon further investigation there was no real entrepreneurship culture or framework implemented within the PS schools. The results also showed the more students are exposed to entrepreneurship education more they are inclined to pursue entrepreneurship endeavours. Data also allowed the reader to grasped copious challenges experienced within TVET in T&T, that impacts on entrepreneurial training within post-secondary institutions in T&T. The researchers put forward an entrepreneurship education model that can be incorporated in the training of post-secondary schools. Additionally a strategy was articulated as to how entrepreneurship education can be adopted within the training of post-secondary institutions. Providing an adequate framework for entrepreneurial training within entrepreneurship education, and TVET provides originality and contribution to the field of TVET and entrepreneurship education.

Funding and its impact on the administration and organisational efficiency of technical vocational education and training institutions

“…TVET has signi cant returns and is worthy of attention from policymakers and governments (Mack et al, 2021). Allocating nances will substantially help institutions.…”

“…Participant 3 highlighted that inadequate funding triggered their institution to shut down vital programmes. TVET is known to be a key player in economic and social advancements (Mack et al, 2021). Participant 3 expressed the value and importance of these TVET programmes as they can be effective agents in social and economic development (Peters, 2021):…”

“…TVET has been seen as a global solution towards socioeconomic development (Gessler & Siemer, 2020). TVET has been known to be a central pillar for nations achieving economic stability (Mack et al, 2021). TVET has been a signi cant priority by several governments in the developed and developing world to reduce poverty (Nwachukwu, 2014).…”

Entrepreneurship in Technical and Vocational Education and Training: A Bibliometric Review

“…The exposure to skills training students in entrepreneurship will also encourage them to be more committed to the entrepreneurial pathway. Through the advantages of this combination of TVET and entrepreneurship skills, it can be used as a platform for students to engage in any training that can benefit them (Mack et al, 2021). In a previous study by Samad et al (2018), entrepreneurship is one of the domains that aids the formation of automotive industry trainees in behavioral competence and employability skills (Samad et al, 2018).…”

Realidades competitivas del emprendimiento en el contexto universitario para la formación integral

“…En este sentido, se reconoce que es fundamental desde los entes educativos en sus diversos niveles el brindar herramientas y conocimientos para fomentar la cultura emprendedora en los jóvenes, y que, además, estos posean los conocimientos necesarios para asumir el rol de gerentes y dueños de empresa (Vargas-Larraguivel, Liévano-Morales y Calderón-Martínez, 2021). Se reconoce ciertamente que el emprendimiento es una de las herramientas más importantes para el desarrollo de un país, debido a que esta no solo promueve la creación de un ecosistema empresarial competitivo, sino que posibilita el desarrollo local de las regiones de Colombia y, a su vez permite combatir problemáticas como el desempleo (Mack, White & Senghor, 2021).…”