ROLE OF APPRENTICESHIP EDUCATION IN ENHANCING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS: INSIGHTS FROM SELECTED APPRENTICES AT ABAKALIKI MECHANIC VILLAGE.

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ROLE OF APPRENTICESHIP EDUCATION IN ENHANCING ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS: INSIGHTS FROM SELECTED APPRENTICES AT ABAKALIKI MECHANIC VILLAGE.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Entrepreneurship plays a critical role in the economic development of nations, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria, where unemployment and underemployment remain significant challenges (Adejumo & Olowu, 2019). One of the key strategies for fostering entrepreneurship is the development of entrepreneurial skills through practical training methods, including apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeship training provides an avenue for acquiring hands-on skills, practical knowledge, and business acumen, enabling individuals to establish and manage their own enterprises (Ojo, 2016).

In Nigeria, informal apprenticeship training has traditionally been the foundation of skill acquisition in trade-related professions such as mechanics, carpentry, tailoring, and welding (Nwankwo, 2018). Mechanic villages, in particular, serve as practical training hubs where apprentices learn essential technical and business skills under the guidance of experienced master craftsmen. Such programs not only equip apprentices with technical skills but also expose them to entrepreneurial principles such as customer relations, cost management, and quality service delivery (Ibrahim & Akinwale, 2020).

Despite the acknowledged benefits of apprenticeship training in skill and entrepreneurial development, many apprentices face challenges such as inadequate mentorship, lack of formal entrepreneurial education, and limited access to capital to start independent ventures. Research indicates that while apprenticeship contributes significantly to skill acquisition, its impact on fostering entrepreneurial mindsets and self-employment readiness is not always optimal (Okoro & Eze, 2021). This highlights the need for empirical studies to assess how apprenticeship training in mechanic villages contributes to developing entrepreneurial skills among trainees.

In Abakaliki, the mechanic village represents a concentrated center for technical apprenticeship, attracting a large number of youths seeking practical training. Understanding how apprentices in this setting acquire entrepreneurial skills and how effectively these skills prepare them for self-employment or small business creation is crucial for promoting youth entrepreneurship and local economic development (Ezeh & Chukwu, 2019).

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Youth unemployment in Nigeria remains a pressing socio-economic issue, despite government initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship (National Bureau of Statistics [NBS], 2022). While apprenticeship training is widely recognized as a means of equipping youths with practical skills, there is limited empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of these programs in developing entrepreneurial skills in specific contexts, such as the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki.

Observations suggest that many apprentices focus primarily on mastering technical skills without fully acquiring entrepreneurial competencies such as business planning, financial management, and marketing. This limitation reduces their capacity to successfully start and manage businesses after completing their apprenticeship. Therefore, the problem this study seeks to address is the extent to which apprenticeship training at the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki contributes to developing entrepreneurial skills among selected apprentices.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine how apprenticeship training at the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki contributes to the development of entrepreneurial skills among selected apprentices.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

Identify the types of entrepreneurial skills acquired by apprentices in the Mechanic Village, Abakaliki.

Examine the methods and strategies used in apprenticeship training to develop entrepreneurial skills.

Determine the influence of mentorship by master craftsmen on the entrepreneurial skills of apprentices.

Assess the challenges apprentices face in acquiring entrepreneurial skills during their training.

Suggest strategies for enhancing entrepreneurial skill acquisition through apprenticeship programs.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

What types of entrepreneurial skills are acquired by apprentices at the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki?

What methods and strategies are employed in apprenticeship training to develop entrepreneurial skills?

How does mentorship by master craftsmen influence the entrepreneurial skills of apprentices?

What challenges do apprentices face in acquiring entrepreneurial skills during their training?

What strategies can be adopted to enhance entrepreneurial skill acquisition through apprenticeship programs?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

Mentorship by master craftsmen has no significant influence on the entrepreneurial skills of apprentices at the Mechanic Village, Abakaliki.

Apprenticeship training methods do not significantly influence the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills among selected apprentices.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in several ways. First, it provides empirical evidence on how apprenticeship training contributes to entrepreneurial skill development, informing educational policymakers and vocational training institutions on best practices. Second, it benefits apprentices by identifying strategies to enhance their entrepreneurial competencies and increase their readiness for self-employment. Third, master craftsmen and training facilitators can use the findings to improve training approaches and mentorship practices. Finally, the study contributes to academic literature on vocational training and entrepreneurship in Nigeria.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study is delimited to selected apprentices undergoing training at the Mechanic Village in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. The focus is on the development of entrepreneurial skills, including business management, financial literacy, customer relations, and innovation in trade practices. The study does not extend to apprentices in other trades outside the mechanic village or to formal entrepreneurship programs in schools or universities.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Entrepreneurial Skills: Competencies that enable individuals to start, manage, and grow businesses successfully, including financial management, innovation, and marketing skills.

Apprenticeship Training: Practical, on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced practitioners aimed at developing technical and entrepreneurial skills.

Mechanic Village: A designated area where mechanics conduct repairs and training, serving as a hub for apprenticeship learning.

Apprentices: Individuals undergoing practical training in a trade under the guidance of master craftsmen.

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