The challenges of integrating entrepreneurship education in the vocational training system: An insight from Tanzania's Vocational Education Training Authority

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to discuss the challenges faced when trying to integrate entrepreneurship education in the training system, with a particular focus on vocational training.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were collected through in‐depth interviews, document reviews and focus group discussions. The respondents were drawn from VETA headquarters – training director, centre managers, entrepreneurship instructors in the centre, and a section of final year students who were purposively selected. Other stakeholders in vocational training in Tanzania were also consulted.

Findings

The findings were organized around key themes of the research as per the set objectives. The emerging views showed some of the following issues as the major challenges facing the authority in its effort to integrate entrepreneurship training in the programme: time too limited to cover the core subjects; Form iv leavers and standard vii trainees have different understanding levels; financial/budgetary constraint; few instructors with relevant skills; lack of role models of successful former trainees who are practising entrepreneurs; course too theoretical, lacking the component of field studies; and the course too boring compared with other mainstream courses.

Research limitations/implications

The sample size was too small to be wholly reliable for generalizing the findings to a similar problem. However, the insights gained are a crucial basis for further research and give some variables to be investigated on their significance in shaping entrepreneurship training, especially in a developing country like Tanzania.

Originality/value

The research provides knowledge that was lacking as far as entrepreneurship training and vocational training are involved. Other studies, especially in Tanzania, focused on the quality of technical training and the infrastructural resources rather than business‐related skills.

Citation

Nkirina, S.P. (2010), "The challenges of integrating entrepreneurship education in the vocational training system: An insight from Tanzania's Vocational Education Training Authority", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 34 No. 2, pp. 153-166. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090591011023998