Factors that Affect the Entrepreneurial Intension of TVET Trainees in Wro. Siheen Polytechnic College

In recent years, entrepreneurship has become a topic of interest in Ethiopia. This study is designed to assess the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees and the attributing factors that affect the entrepreneurial intension of TVET traineesin Wro.Siheen Polytechnic College. The fact that majority of TVET graduates are not self-employed against TVET's basic mission forced the researcher to study the factors affecting the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. For this, a sample of 164 trainees in 6 sectors, 6 sector coordinators and 3 deans were taken for the study using proportional stratified and comprehensive sampling Techniques. In the process of answe ring the basic questions, a questionnaire that include demographic profiles, factors that affect the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees and entrepreneurial intension indicators was designed in a Likert scales. Moreover, interviews and focus group discussions were held with sector coordinators and college deans. After the data has been collected, it was analyzed using simple statistical techniques (tables and percentages), descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviations), inferential statistics (correlation and regression) and descriptive narrations. The results of the study indicate the entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees is poor. It is also found that training facilities, leaders commitment and concern, leaders relationship with stakeholders are major administrative factors that hinder entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. Education/trainees related factors are more or less related with curriculum quality, trainers' competence and training delivery techniques. The trainees' attitude such as low concern and interest to entrepreneurship, underestimating entrepreneurship training as compared to other major courses and limited role in the training are major determinants for their entrepreneurial intension. The study also found that there is a significant correlation between administrative support, training/education support, trainees' attitude and entrepreneurial intension of TVET trainees. Based on the major findings, it is recommended that TVET leaders and educators should revise their training methodology, curriculum and entrepreneurship trainers so as to achieve the desired results. Moreover Ethiopian government should establish a system through which entrepreneurship training is started at an early age i.e Entrepreneurship education should be part of the Ethiopian education curriculum from elementary to higher education in a continuous and adaptive manner taking students level of education in to account since entrepreneurial intension cannot be built overnight.