STAKEHOLDERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF STRATEGIES, OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL SKILLS QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) is a structured framework designed to promote and enhance the quality of skills development and vocational education in Nigeria. It aims to establish a standardized system for recognizing and certifying skills across various sectors thereby facilitating the alignment of education and training with the needs of the labour market. This study examined the stakeholders’ perceptions of strategies, opportunities and challenges of implementing the National Skills Qualification Framework for entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria. The study had eight purposes, four research questions and four null hypotheses. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised public TVET institutions teachers, students and artisans in the six states of southwestern Nigeria. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to sample 1,800 participants. The instrument used for data collection was a validated four-part research questionnaire, structured on the 4-point rating scale.  Cronbach alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, and the reliability coefficients were 0.87 and 0.89. The data collected were analysed using mean and standard deviation for the research questions while the hypotheses were tested with independent-samples t-test and Two-way Analysis of Variance. The study found among others that the level of knowledge of the stakeholders on the contents of the National Skills Qualifications Framework was very low; and the best strategies for implementing NSQF included, training providers selection should be public and transparent and there should be a funding scheme to which both government and industry can contribute, among others. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the low level of stakeholder knowledge about the NSQF highlights the urgent need for robust sensitization and training programs to bridge this gap. Transparent selection processes for training providers and a collaborative funding scheme involving both government and industry were identified, among others, as essential strategies for successful NSQF implementation.