Review Gold Open Access 2024

Is linking technical and vocational training with industry a bridge to employability? Lessons from a literature review for Ethiopia

Cogent Education
Journal · Vol. 11 · Issue 1 · Art. 2406721
Abstract

Skill demand and supply mismatch is a global problem identified as a root cause of unemployment, urging education and training institutions to revise their curriculum with the collaboration of industries. This article aimed to analyze prior research outputs on the effective Linkage of technical and vocational training institutions with industries and extract lessons for Ethiopia. The study covered 30 purposefully selected articles and analyzed thematically to identify lessons and implications that fit Ethiopia. The findings highlighted Linkage as a platform for sharing powers and responsibilities between education and training institutions and serve as a workplace transition. Linkage can be through qualification standard setting, curriculum development, internship, and apparent ship programs. The industry serves as a laboratory that allows trainees to analyze, synthesize, and reflect on the technological needs and challenges of industries, enables them to solve problems of industries, creates employment opportunities, allows industries to select competent workers, helps to share training costs and exchange expertise, builds the image of technical and vocational training. The findings further identified the challenges of Linkage and its coping strategies. Finally, the review concluded that Linkage is necessary rather than the choice to minimize skill mismatches, reduce unemployment, and increase productivity, especially in countries like Ethiopia that run short of training resources. However, further research is needed to monitor the situation continuously and determine appropriate policy changes for skill development interventions. © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

Author Keywords

employability TVET Employability skills 21st Century Skills continuing professional development Curriculum Studies Adult Education and Lifelong Learning industry linkage

Index Keywords

Author Affiliations
Department of Curriculum and Instruction, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Department of Curriculum & Instruction & Early Childhood Education, Addis Abab city Admin, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Funding & Acknowledgements
No funding information
References 10 References
1 Journal of Vocational Education Studies, (2023)
2 Vocational and Technical Education Journal, (2020)
3 International Conference on Online and Blended Learning 2019 Icobl 2019, (2020)
4 Allais, Stephanie Matseleng, Will skills save us? Rethinking the relationships between vocational education, skills development policies, and social policy in South Africa, International Journal of Educational Development, 32, 5, pp. 632-642, (2012)
5 Learning Through Collaboration Between Vocational Teacher Training Institutions and Workplaces Barriers and Contradictions, (2022)
6 Vocational and Technical Education Journal, (2020)
7 International Journal of Social Science and Management, (2018)
8 Pathways for Prosperity Commission Background Paper Series, (2018)
9 Journal of Training and Development, (2019)
10 Social Sciences, (2021)
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