Access to Vocational Education Programmes on Youth Employment and Income Generation

Abstract

This study explored how access to vocational education programmes affects youth employment and income generation in Epe and Ikorodu. It was driven by the rising youth unemployment rate and the increasing demand for practical skills that boost employability and economic empowerment among young people. A descriptive survey design was employed, using a quantitative approach. The population included youths living in Epe and Ikorodu, with a sample of 400 respondents selected through proportionate and simple random sampling methods. Data collection was carried out using a structured questionnaire, which had a reliability coefficient of 0.83, determined via Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive statistics such as means and standard deviations addressed the research questions, while an independent sample t-test tested the hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The results indicated that youths’ access to vocational education programmes was moderate, with respondents in Ikorodu having a higher mean score (3.42) compared to those in Epe (2.98). The study also found that vocational education programmes positively impacted youth employment, with an overall mean score of 3.41, and contributed to income generation, averaging 3.48. Hypothesis testing revealed a significant difference between respondents in Epe and Ikorodu regarding the programmes' contributions to employment (t = 2.37, p < 0.05) and income (t = 2.64, p < 0.05). The study concluded that access to these programmes significantly enhances youths’ employment prospects and income potential. It recommended that the government increase investment in vocational education, improve training facilities, and ensure equitable access to vocational programmes across communities.