| dc.description.abstract | Development of employability skills among TVET graduates increases their employability.
However, despite reforms in TVET education in Kenya, Meru County continue to grapple with
high unemployment rates among TVET graduates due to skills gap. This research aimed to
establish the influence of industrial engagement on development of employability skills of TVET
graduates in Meru County, Kenya. The Knight and Yorke Theory of Employability and Human
Capital Theory informed the study. A sample size of 6 TVET institutions, 142 TVET trainees, 12
trainers, 72 graduates, 12 HoDs, and 6 Principals and 5 Key Informants were selected for this
study. Simple random sampling, census sampling, purposive sampling, stratified sampling and
referral sampling techniques were used to select participants. The study adopted a mixed-research
approach, and used convergent parallel research design. Questionnaires and interview guides were
used to collect data. The quality of data collection tools was assured by checking their validity and
reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to quantitative data and themes were
generated from qualitative data. The study established a significant relationship between industrial
engagement and development of employability skills. The study underscores the need for TVETs
to strengthen partnerships with industries to enhance development of employability skills. The
study concluded that there exists a skill mismatch in TVET graduates. The study recommended
TVETs in Meru County, and Kenya at large, to embrace dual apprenticeship system which
integrates school-based and work-based learning. The study further recommended TVET
institutions to have elaborate connections and partnerships with industries in order ease the burden
of looking for attachments, internships and apprenticeship by trainees. | en_US |
