Challenges Facing Learners’ Acquisition of Employability Competencies under Competency-Based Education and Training Approach in Vocational Education and Training Centres in Tanzania: Employability Competencies, CBET and Vocational Education and Training

Employability Competencies, CBET and Vocational Education and Training

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to investigate the causes of inadequate employability
competencies among vocational education and training (VET) graduates using a
competency-based education and training (CBET) approach. The article
identifies respondents' perspectives on the challenges of acquiring employability
competencies during the civil artisans' training and learning process in VETIs
under CBET and explores opinions for overcoming those challenges. Data were
gathered from 126 respondents through semi-structured interviews with trainers
and employers, an open-ended questionnaire for learners, and employee-focused
group discussions. A qualitative exploratory approach research design was used.
Thematic analysis was used to analyse documents and interview transcripts. The
findings revealed that the acquisition of employability competencies is hampered
by learner characteristics, insufficient training and learning resources, shortage
of trainers, English language problems, training methods, and negative
perception of parents and learners on VET programmes, all of which were
identified in the conceptual framework and mentioned by all categories of
respondents. It is likely that the challenges discovered were not novel, with the
exception of a lack of internet and a scarcity of clean water and food, which were
context-specific issues. As a result, the study recommends that government and
VET stakeholders should ensure the availability of learning resources to enhance
effective training and learning at VET. More serious English language instruction
should begin in primary school, according to the government and VET
stakeholders. VET trainers should improve field supervision exercises and expose
trainees to the working environment where employability competencies can be
imparted more easily than through classroom training alone. Trainers should also
participate in workshops and industrial visits to gain skills and knowledge about
labour market needs. This will improve trainers' and trainees' understanding of
labour-market requirements.