STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND INDUSTRIES IN NIGERIA TOWARDS REQUIRED SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH

Abstract

The huge demands of industrialization, technological and business development and eradication of unemployment towards economic and national growth seems dependent majorly on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in Nigeria. TVET programmes are expected to produce skilled experts that are innovative and highly creative and who would not only cope with the demands and pressure of meeting the national goals of technological advancement and industrialization, but also contribute qualitatively to its achievement. However, Nigeria’s educational sector over the years have been unable to distinctively produce many graduates possessing the capacities for driving the level of expected innovations for improved industrial productivity and economic boom even with a level of interrelationship with interested industries. Hence, the need for a well-defined, strategically planned and uniquely executed partnership between TVET institutions and industries towards effective training of skilled, competent and self-reliant graduates who will propel the economic development in the country. Appropriate institution-industrial collaborations could enhance adequate skills exposure, acquisition and practice for TVET students. Based on this premise, this study explored TVET and policy goals of higher education institutions in Nigeria, partnership needs for qualitative TVET output, skill training alliance between institutions and industrial sectors among other relevant themes with respect to the focus of this study. The paper recommended that a documented partnership should be established between TVET institutions and relevant industrial sectors to facilitate complete training of qualified and professional TVET graduates with exposure to theories (in school) and real practice (industrial experience) of the operations of each field of specialization