Influence of Skill Acquisition on Employment Generation
CHAPTER ONE
Objective of the Study
The main objective of the study is to examine the dependency of employment generation on skill acquisition in Nigeria, using selected small business in Igando/Ikotun local council development area, Alimosho Local government Area of Lagos State. The specific objectives are to:
- investigate the link between skill acquisition and employment generation.
- examine the rate at which over-dependency on paid employment affects employment generation.
- discover how lack of vocational skill acquisition relate with employment generation.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
This chapter of the research work is an integral part of the work which tends to help us understand deeply the variables under study. It is the fountain where the full knowledge of the topic understudy can be ascertained. The sub-sections in this chapter includes; the conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review.
Conceptual Framework of Skill
Encarta dictionary (2009) defines skill as the ability to do something well, usually gained through training or experience. Skill is the ability to carry out a task with pre-determined result often within a given amount of time, energy or both, (Wikipedia).
Opeoluwa (2013) defined skill as the ability to apply knowledge. Skills are developed when a person learns how to do a task completely. He further explained that skills can developed by anyone who is willing to put in the necessary effort.
Acquisition was defined in Oxford dictionary as things acquired most especially something that is more meaningful, or the action or process of acquiring something that can bring or improve a system.
Ikegwu et al (2014) defines skill acquisition as the ability to learn a skill, which can be intellectual such as learning to listen, speak, read and write or manual such as learning to build or make something. It involves the development of new skill, practices or a way of doing things usually gained through training or experience.
Concept of Skill Acquisition
Beach (1990) as cited in Donjor (2011) opined that skill acquisition is the process of enlarging people’s choice for a long and healthy life, knowledge acquisition, healthy life, knowledge acquisition for a decent standard of living.
The central concern of human development is the quality of people’s lives, what they are capable of doing. Oluremi (2008) as cited in Donjor (2011), also buttress this point by saying that skill acquisition aims at transforming the human person so as to bring about his/her potentials and make him or her a leader, who will in turn inspires and empowers others to excel and articulate meaningful vision for the society.
The UNDP’S Human Development Report (1990) as cited in Donjor (2011) defines people as the real wealth of a nation. It is through skill acquisition that creativity, initiative, capability, commitment and empowerment that true development can be achieved.
Asante (1998) as cited in Donjor (2011) said skill acquisition means releasing human energy, it means providing an opportunity for people to make the maximum contribution to their own development and to the self-sustaining development of their communities.
Webster’s Dictionary defines skill acquisition as developed or acquired ability.
The skills acquisition which is a vital instrument of empowerment that seeks to provide the people with different skills, vocation and entrepreneurial ability like bead making, hat making, sewing, fashion designing, shoe making and making workers interested in their job and at the same perspective improving on the existing skills.
Mohammed (2015) posits that skill acquisition is the process that artisans use to learn or acquire a new skill. It is a gradual process that requires our cognitive (thinking) processes to work with our physical abilities to learn how to perform tasks that we were previously unfamiliar with.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with and explains how the study was carried out, the sample and its characteristics, the data gathering procedure and construction and administration of the research instrument, bearing in mind that the study was carried out in a selected case unit. This part of the research work shows the scientific form or nature of the work.
Research Design
Research design is the structuring of the investigation aimed at identifying variables and their relationship (Asika, 1991). For this work, a descriptive survey research design was adopted in order to examine the influence of skill acquisition on employment generation. The objective of the research work cannot be achieved without a field survey being carried out on the selected case unit. For this reason, a survey research design was adopted and considered as the suitable and appropriate design for this study.
Population of the Study
The study population consisted of all selected small businesses in Igando/Ikotun local council development area, Alimosho Local government Area of Lagos State, which were over five thousand (5,000) enterprises.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the results of the statistical analyses. A description of the data screening process is provided followed by a summary of the sample characteristics. Finally, the statistical analysis associated with each of the required reliability and validity measures for instrument testing is presented. All statistical calculations of the data were completed through the use of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 computer program.
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introduction
This chapter discusses the findings made by the researcher, the conclusion and also the recommendations made by the researcher which may be adopted by the concerned individuals, authorities, institutions, organization and which further studies may be carried upon. It is divided into three sub-sections namely: discussion of findings, conclusion and recommendation.
Discussion of Findings
The first hypothesis stated that there is no significant relationship between skill acquisition and employment generation. It was found out in this study that there is a significant relationship between skill acquisition and employment generation. This result indicates a moderate positive association between skill acquisition and employment generation. This may be due to the fact that skilled individuals help create job through apprenticeship and direct employment opportunity. This was in line the findings of Ikegwu et al (2014) that empowered individuals in the areas such as computer skills, hairdressing, tailoring, and soap making and other skill acquisition have a significant contribution to the society through human empowerment, and also concluded that skill acquisition contributes greatly in the elimination of joblessness in Nigeria.
Conclusion
This study has evaluated the influence of skill acquisition on employment generation in Ikotun/Igando LCDA, Alimosho Local government Area, Lagos State. The result of the study revealed that skill acquisition is a veritable tool to arrest the unemployment situation and its attendant’s problems in the country. Skill acquisition through apprenticeship in areas such as hairdressing, fashion designing, bead-making, trading, computing skill, manufacturing, barbing etc would adequately cater for the joblessness phenomenon being experienced among Nigerian youths.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made;
- Individuals in Lagos in particular and in Nigeria in general, especially the youths should equip themselves with the knowledge or ability to perform some certain or specific economic activities as this will save them from the stress of unemployment and enable them to be independent and also be poverty free.
- Individuals in the country, that is, youths should be skill-driven rather than job-driven because the acquisition of skills will help to generate jobs and exploit opportunities to create jobs for others.
- Individuals with skills should ensure they channel all their efforts towards establishing themselves in such vocation as this will enable them provides the basic or daily needs of their families.
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