Effective or Ineffective: Features of Work-Based Learning Models in Higher Fashion Education Institutions in Ghana

Abstract

The current study analysed the features of work-based learning models in higher fashion education institutions in Ghana. The study emphasized the need for skilled human resources in the new era of the knowledge-based economy, as this would be crucial for Ghana to become a developed nation. Creative and vocational education in Higher Education (HE) is about creativity and innovativeness. These are the most significant attributes that higher fashion education graduates must possess. The study adopted descriptive research designs due to their nature. The mixed methods technique was considered appropriate for answering the research question as it concerns dynamic phenomena such as innovation and change. A non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted to select fashion houses in eight regions of Ghana. Both undergraduate and postgraduate fashion students and some graduates practising their acquired skills in the fashion industry were also used as samples for the study. Questionnaires and interviews were utilized to collect data. The major empirical findings of this study suggest that students possess inadequate skills as they embark on work-based learning programs from their various academic institutions. Distinctly, the results revealed that students lacked practical competence in their field of specialization. Keywords: Features of work-based learning, models, work-based learning programs, work-based learning approaches, higher fashion education, Ghana, creative and vocational education DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-32-04 Publication date: November 30 th 2022