Title: The role of field attachment training on learners' acquisition of employability competencies: a case of civil artisans in civil construction companies

Authors: Shukurani Mgaya; Josephat Stephen Itika; Emmanuel David Ndikumana

Addresses: Department of Management Studies, Tanzania Institute of Accountancy, Tanzania ' Department of Public Service and Human Resource Management, Mzumbe University, Tanzania ' Department of Public Service and Human Resource Management, Mzumbe University, Tanzania

Abstract: This article explores the role of field attachment on learners' acquisition of employability competencies at vocational education and training institutions (VETIs) where work-based training is vested. Data from exploratory research design covered VETIs learners, employers, and employees from civil construction companies where field attachment was carried out. Semi-structured interviews and open-ended questionnaire were used to collect data. One hundred and four respondents answered the questions. Data collected through semi-structured interview and focuse group discussions was analysed by using content analysis technique. Data collected through questionnaire content analysis technique with the help of MAXQDA2020 software was used to generate frequencies and percentages. The findings have shown that contrary to the traditional wisdom field attachment has a very significant role to play in enhancing hard competencies; learners were more appreciative to have learnt more in issues to do with soft competencies (honest, 67%; hard working, 64% and discipline 41%). This study has cemented the useful role of soft competencies in technical education curriculum as leverage to creation of more employable graduates which is the current trend in the literature.

Keywords: employability competencies; field attachment; vocational education; civil artisans; Tanzania.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMD.2023.135735

International Journal of Management Development, 2023 Vol.2 No.4, pp.257 - 280

Received: 12 Oct 2022
Accepted: 25 Apr 2023
Published online: 03 Jan 2024 *

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