Perceived Impact and Contributions of Technical and Vocational Education and Training Programmes to Employment Opportunities in Sierra Leone

Abstract

This study assessed the contribution of Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes to employment opportunities and income levels among youth and young adult graduates and examined stakeholder perceptions of TVET from the perspectives of students, employers, and educators. A convergent mixed-methods research design was employed, integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative interviews and document review. A total of 278 respondents were selected through stratified purposive sampling, with the sample size determined using Yamane's formula. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation (ρ), and thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. The findings revealed that 47% of students identified employment, self-employment, and income generation as the primary benefit of TVET, followed by livelihood and community development (21%). Among employers, 52.7% expressed positive perceptions of graduates' practical competence, although many emphasized the need for improved workplace readiness. Similarly, 45.9% of educators perceived TVET as enhancing student skills, employability, and reducing unemployment. Respondents reported positive perceptions of well-being improvement (M = 3.19, SD = 1.24) and labour market skills relevance (M = 3.17, SD = 1.27), while employability improvement received the lowest rating (M = 2.81, SD = 1.25). Spearman correlation analysis showed significant positive relationships between skills relevance and employability (ρ = 0.416, p < .001), income (ρ = 0.549, p < .001), and well-being (ρ = 0.618, p < .001), indicating that greater skills relevance is associated with improved livelihood outcomes. The study concludes that TVET contributes positively to employment, income generation, and overall well-being but that its full potential is constrained by inadequate industry linkages, limited career support services, insufficient workplace exposure, and lack of start-up resources. It recommends strengthening industry partnerships, modernising curricula, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, improving career guidance and job placement services, and increasing government and private-sector investment in TVET infrastructure and graduate entrepreneurship support to enhance employment and livelihood outcomes.