Description
The purpose of the study was to determine the perceptions of students and County Government
on Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The
objectives of the study were: to determine the perceptions of trainees on TVET Education and
explore the perceptions of County Government on TVET Education in Trans-Nzoia County. The
study was guided by the human capital theory. The ontology was constructivist and the
epistemology was interpretivist. The research method was qualitative. The research design was
phenomenology, and purposive and convenience sampling were applied. A sample of 60
trainees was drawn from five (5) TVET centers in the five (5) sub-counties of Trans-Nzoia
County and twelve (12) from the national technical institute in Kitale town. One (1) TVET
instructors in each of the institutions was selected. A further 6 principals were sampled. Focus
group discussion guide and interview guide were used to collect data. The data was
thematically analyzed. The study findings pointed out that trainees had concerns about the
resources, trainers and the industrial attachments while stakeholders had concerns on funding
and human resource (HR) of the TVET. The county government’s perceptions leaned towards
increased funding of the TVETs, enhanced marketing of TVETs and the negative perceptions
towards TVET Institutions that impacted on youth employment and slow economic
development. The study recommends that there is need for more funding of TVETs, recruitment
of sufficient and qualified personnel, in addition to proper supervision and guidance by the
County and National government. The study also recommends policy revision to enhance
change of attitude leading to improved operations and uptake in the various courses offered at
TVET Institutions.
Key Words: Stakeholder, Perception, Technical and Vocational Education, trainee,
trainer, County Government, National government
