EFFECT OF APPRENTICESHIP ON YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT IN SOUTH EASTERN NIGERIA
This study investigated the effect of apprenticeship on youth unemployment in the five South Eastern states of Nigeria. Apprenticeship was disaggregated into traditional, modern and vocational apprenticeship systems while youth unemployment rate was used to represent youth unemployment. The population of the study consisted of staff of National Directorate of Employment in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo States. This placed the population of the study at 250 while the sample size, determined using the Krejcie-Morgan sample size determination technique, was 152. The stratified sampling method was used in determining the sample units. Data generated for the study via questionnaire were analyzed using simple percentage, descriptive analysis and Ordinary Least Square (OLS) multiple regression techniques. The regression results revealed that traditional, modern and vocational apprenticeship systems have negative and significant effects on youth unemployment rate. It further revealed that these systems of apprenticeship have a joint significant effect of about 93.4% on unemployment rate. The study then concluded that apprenticeship has a significant effect on youth unemployment in South Eastern Nigeria. Hence, the recommendations that the traditional apprenticeship system should be encouraged further by improving training quality and structure, fostering partnerships for better job placements, and integrating basic literacy and numeracy skills; there is need to strengthen modern apprenticeship systems by way of aligning training with emerging industry needs in technology and renewable energy, increasing access and inclusivity for youths, and providing entrepreneurship training for self-employment; and the authorities should expand vocational apprenticeship programs with respect to scaling up vocational training in high-demand sectors, enhancing infrastructure and equipment for practical training, and further promoting public-private partnerships for job placements.
Keywords: Apprenticeship, Youth Unemployment, Traditional Apprenticeship, Modern Apprenticeship, Vocational Apprenticeship, South Eastern Nigeria
