| dc.description.abstract | This research project examines the effectiveness of Village Polytechnics in regard to Small Scale Enterprise development with specific reference to Gilgil. The study recognizes that village polytechnics play an important role in addressing the needs of the marginalized and disenfranchised rural youth. Village polytechnics extend to the youth; skills and knowledge that enable them to become artisans by gaining skills and technical knowledge that enable them acquire formal employment and even encourages them to branch out into self employment.
The main objective of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of Village Polytechnics in promoting small scale enterprise development in rural areas. It also seeks to assess the relevance, suitability and economic feasibility of the training offered in rural polytechnics. Alongside this, this project seeks to ascertain if the skills offered are in tandem with the needs on the ground. Finally, an evaluation is made to see if the trainees of the polytechnic are able to secure sustainable employment opportunities and business undertakings.
The research project seeks answers regarding how effective rural village polytechnics have been in alleviating unemployment amongst the rural youth and has also sought to identify the viable programmes that enhance skill development and subsequent income generation. The final query pertains to the factors that need to be considered when designing training programmes offered in village polytechnics.
This study was undertaken in Gilgil Township and the aim was to assess the graduates of Comboni Polytechnic in order to ascertain if the skills learnt are relevant in the market place. The development of small enterprise amongst the rural youth was the yardstick used to measure the impact of Village Polytechnics in alleviating rural poverty and promoting development. It is hoped that these polytechnics are relevant and useful in extending to rural youth viable employment opportunities.
The recommendations of these findings indicate that Village polytechnics do play a critical role in rural development in as far as skill development and employment creation is concerned. Therefore, it is critical that the Kenyan government revives all the stalled polytechnics to the required standard as well as add to their numbers. The numbers of rural youth who are not able to access formal education continues to grow rapidly and therefore require to be given opportunities that will enable them acquire skills necessary to enable then start small scale enterprises as well as gain meaningful employment. These polytechnics will need to be accessible to all youth and hence the cost factors will need to be scrutinized accordingly. Learning facilities as well as skill development will need to be sensitive to the ever changing technology and market trends prevailing not only in the rural areas but also in the wider world. Students in these polytechnics seek to fully participate in all aspects of their training and will need to be taken on board in the development of their syllabus in order for their needs to be met adequately.
The level of awareness amongst polytechnic graduates has grown considerably and several of them seek further training in order to be relevant in their fields. It is therefore critical that qualified, experienced and sufficient instructors are deployed to these institutions in order to meet this demand.
In conclusion, these rural polytechnics are useful for rural development, especially in creating linkages that are able to promote viable economic activities and promote economic growth which can be part of the process that would enable the country to achieve its National Goals of Development - Vision 2030 | en |
