Effects of Entrepreneurship Education on Start-up Propensity: Technical and Vocational College Lecturers' Perspectives

Abstract

This research aimed to engage the prevailing status that education in entrepreneurship is offered to college students in South Africa to enhance the learning and teaching efficiency of TVET college, which should lead to motivating and preparing graduates to start their own businesses. At the time of this study (2020), the total youth unemployment rate was 40.3%.  In addition, the youth graduate unemployment rate was 55.2%. It is concerning that the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates face this challenge. It is significantly possible that South African TVET students will face unemployment after graduation due to the high unemployment rate and the competition in the job market from other universities. Accordingly, there is a need to transform TVET college students into entrepreneurs who can self-sustain upon completion of their studies.

Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour was used to address the paucity of literature on entrepreneurial education and start-up propensity. Accordingly, a research questionnaire was structured to address the issue: "To what extent do the variables in the entrepreneurial environment (TVET colleges), in the form of knowledge of entrepreneurship, perceived self-efficacy and attitude towards entrepreneurship, affect the entrepreneurial intentions of students?" This study proved the direct relationship between entrepreneurship education, inclination, and intention to start a business.

A few recommendations are made regarding investment in entrepreneurship education and infrastructure, partnering with private and public companies, and entrepreneurship as an integral part of development in the national policy framework that addresses unemployment.