| dc.description.abstract | Recent developments and focus on technical education in Kenya have witnessed
exponential growth in student enrolment, funding as well as increased number of TVET
institutions. Training in Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
programs in these institutions aims at increasing creativity, innovativeness, and
entrepreneurial activities that would address the industry skill gap, unemployment and
reduce job search duration among graduates. However, unemployment among the youth
in Kenya continues to be a persistent problem. The global youth unemployment stands at
5.8% while in Kenya, youth unemployment increased from 7.31% in 2016 to 13.84% in
2022. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of STEM program characteristics on
the labour market outcomes of graduates of selected national polytechnics (NPs) in Kenya.
The study’s specific objectives were to establish the effect of the; nature of STEM
academic programs, the level of STEM academic programs, the academic field of study,
and STEM academic program’s teaching resources on the labour market outcomes of
graduates. The study was anchored on the job search and job competition theories. Based
on pragmatic philosophical underpinning, the study adopted a mixed method approach
utilizing a sequential explanatory design. The study targeted the 2016 cohort of STEM
NPs graduates, 11 registrars, and 11 office of careers services officers. Stratified simple
random sampling, snowball sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to get
the sample population. A sample size of 1834 respondents was sampled from a target
population of 21151. Telephone interviews, focus group discussions, and interview
schedules were used to collect data. Data was analysed both qualitatively and
quantitatively. Logistic regression model, multinomial logistic regression, survival
analysis, and structural equation model tools for inferential statistics were adopted.
Findings revealed that graduates who pursued modular programs had a higher hazard rate
compared with non-modular. Through the interview, it was revealed that shift towards
modular courses is driven by the need to align training with industry demands and the
evolving workforce. The employment survival probabilities of graduates reduced to 22%
over the 65 months. The diploma graduates exhibited a higher hazard rate compared to
other certification levels. Respondents with higher diploma and craft certification had a
median time to employment of approximately 52 months (95% CI: 49.4-54.6), while those
with artisan certificate had a median time of approximately 62 months (95% CI: 58.9
65.1). The time to employment varied significantly across the four certification levels.
Focussed Group Discussion revealed that practical skills and personal attributes are
crucial for securing employment in technical fields. Employers, particularly in the private
sector, value hands-on experience and practical competencies more than academic
qualifications. Job seekers need to demonstrate both mastery of skills and confidence in
their abilities to be successful. Training Resources had a significant indirect effect on
Employment category (β = 0.169, T = 7.272, P = 0.000. The study concludes that the
nature of STEM academic programs significantly affects labour market outcomes for
graduates, with modular programs leading to higher earnings and faster job placements
compared to non-modular programs. Diploma graduates also experience better job
prospects, with a higher hazard rate for employment. The academic field of study impacts
earnings, with graduates from Health Sciences, Agriculture & Environmental Studies, and
Electrical & Electronics Engineering earning more than those from other fields. Improved
accessibility to educational resources is linked to better employment outcomes. The study
recommends improvement of employment outcomes for STEM graduates in order to
promote self-employment by offering entrepreneurial training and resources, and to create
a supportive environment for the public and private sectors to absorb more youth. Training
institutions should facilitate academic progression from Artisan to Craft to Diploma
levels. Expanding job placement services with personalized support, such as resume
writing and interview preparation, can reduce job search duration. | en_US |
