Influence of Industrial Attachment Duration on Employability Skills: A Case of Technical, Vocational Educational and Training (TVET) Trainees in Nairobi County

Alex Njogu Mwaura – Presbyterian University of East Africa (PUEA)
Dr. Mary Mugwe – Mount Kenya University
Dr. Paul Adabu – Mount Kenya University
Dr. Ruth Thinguri – Mount Kenya University
Corresponding author email: anmwaura@yahoo.com

Abstract: Lack of relevant and adequate data on the influence of industrial attachment duration on employability skills development of trainees from Technical, Vocational Educational, and Training institutions and continuous mismatch between the skills demanded by labour market and the acquired competencies by trainees during training in TVET institutions is a problem of global concern. The main purpose of the research was to establish the influence of industrial attachment duration on employability skills development of trainees from Technical, Vocational Educational and Training institutions in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the Educational Theory of Apprenticeship. The study adopted the mixed research methodology and also used the concurrent triangulation design. Using a sample size of 230 participants, questionnaires were used to collect data from the trainees and liaison officers. Interview guides were administered to the industry supervisors, while focused group discussion was used to collect information from the trainers. Findings from the study established that industrial attachment duration, teamwork, decision making, and problem-solving influenced the development of employability skills. However, the duration of industrial attachment had little influence on trainees’ production of quality products and provision of services. The study recommended the harmonization of the industrial attachment period with the specific course content. However, the length of attachment should not be less than three months.