Assessing The Relationship Between Skills Acquired Through Vocational Training on Youth Economic Outcomes in Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

Youth unemployment will continue to pose a significant challenge in Kenya, particularly in Kiambu County, where the demand for jobs is expected to exceed the available opportunities. Vocational training will be proposed as a key strategy to address this issue. The main objective of the study will be to assess whether vocational training improves the economic outcomes of youth in the county. Specifically, the study will examine the types of vocational training programs available to youth, assess the employability skills that will be acquired by the youth through vocational training institutions, evaluate the relationship between vocational training and economic outcomes status, and explore the challenges influencing training effectiveness.The study will be guided by the Human Capital Theory, Social Cognitive Theory, and the Capability Approach. It will be conducted in Kiambu County, located in the central region of Kenya. The target population will comprise youth aged 18–24 years who will have graduated from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions within the last five years. A descriptive survey design will be adopted. The sample size will include 110 participants, who will be selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representation from various sectors.Data collection methods will include questionnaires administered to youth who will have completed vocational training programs at least five years prior to the research, as well as key informant interviews (KIIs) to gain deeper insights into the relevance of training to job market demands. The findings from this study will help inform policy by highlighting areas of improvement within vocational training institutions in the county. Additionally, the study will help identify the needs of the local labor market, determine whether they are being met, and highlight the challenges that may hinder the effectiveness of vocational training in promoting youth economic outcomes.