Employability of Fashion and Garmet Making Students from Youth Polytechnics as Perceived by Employers in Gatundu and Thika Districts, Kenya

Abstract

Skills training in Fashion and Textiles should lead to employability and job creation for its graduates. This is important for youth development and industrial growth as envisaged in Kenya’s vision 2030. This paper reports on the findings from a survey conducted to collect views on the appropriate employability skills required by employers in Fashion and Clothing industries. Participants included; clothing factory managers, tailors designers and trainers in Gatundu and Thika district. An interview was used to collect responses from 30 respondents selected through stratified random sampling. The respondents were required to give their views on the competencies required for the Fashion and Garment making trainee to fit appropriately in the job market. The data obtained was qualitative in nature and exposed gaps in occupational skills, interpersonal, empowerment and critical thinking skill. The findings of the study are likely to benefit curriculum developers in TVET program, the teachers, students and the Fashion and Textile Industries who are the main employers