Abstract
This paper assesses acquisition of entrepreneurial skills by polytechnic students in Osun State, Nigeria. It identifies courses through which entrepreneurial skills could be acquired; examines availability of training facilities; determines whether or not polytechnic students do the mandatory industrial training or students’ industrial work experience scheme, and find out attitudes of students to entrepreneurial skills acquisition. Survey research design was used. The population comprised all the polytechnic students in Higher National Diploma (HND). The sample comprised 300 participants from purposefully selected three government-owned polytechnics. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data gathered through structured questionnaire. The results showed that there were over 50 entrepreneurship-based courses offered in polytechnics in the State. Availability of relevant skills training facilities was lacking. Both the industrial training and students’ industrial work experience scheme positively contributed to acquisition of skills. Students’ attitudes towards entrepreneurial skills acquisition were poor. Relevant workable recommendations were suggested. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p83
Highlights
Several attempts have been made by successive government in Nigeria from time immemorial to empower the youth with employable skills with a view to alleviating unemployment and poverty
The results showed that there are well over 50 different courses from which polytechnic students could acquire entrepreneurial skills
Adequate availability of relevant equipment that could be used for practical training in entrepreneurial skills acquisition was lacking as well as technical personnel to guide polytechnic students through using the available training equipment
Summary
Several attempts have been made by successive government in Nigeria from time immemorial to empower the youth with employable skills with a view to alleviating unemployment and poverty. For instance the establishment of National Poverty Eradication Program (NAPEP) 2000/2001, Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) 1988/89, and National Directorate of Employment (NDE) 1986, among others are government efforts towards eradicating joblessness, unemployment and poverty among the people. All these programs and government interventions seem not to address the real foundational problem which is hidden in the Nigerian education system and its products. Teaming number of polytechnic graduates are unemployed and jobless This scenario is not far-fetched from the fact that they were ill-equipped with entrepreneurial skills in the course of their education.
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