SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMMES OF THE NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF EMPLOYMENT AND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT IN CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA
Keywords:
National Directorate of Employment, Skill Acquisition Programmes, Youth Empowerment and Fashion/Hairdressing DesignAbstract
This study examine National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Skill Acquisition Programmes and youth empowerment in Cross River State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is focusing on fashion design and hairdressing skills in Cross River State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design was employed to collect and analyze data systematically from a sample of 600 youth participants who had completed at least one training program under the NDE between 2018 and 2023. The sample was selected using stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires was used as an instrument of data collection. The reliability of the instrument was established through a Pearson’s correlation coefficient at (r = 0.70). The data obtained was analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between fashion design skills and youth empowerment (r = 0.45, p < 0.05), indicating that these skills are a key factor in enhancing youth autonomy and economic participation. The study concludes that the NDE Skill Acquisition Programmes have a significant positive impact on youth empowerment, particularly through the development of vocational skills like fashion design and hairdressing, which enhance both economic opportunities and personal growth among participants. It was recommended that there is a need to standardize and modernize hairdressing training curricula to reflect current industry practices. Also, that educational institutions should incorporate fashion design programs into secondary and tertiary curricula, offering a structured pathway for youth to develop both technical and entrepreneurial skills in the fashion industry.References
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