Vocational Education and Youth Employment: A Case Study of Technical Colleges in Bauchi State

This study examined the relationship between vocational education qualifications and youth employment outcomes in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria. With youth unemployment persistently high, technical colleges are expected to serve as pipelines to the labor market, yet the actual employment trajectories of graduates remain poorly documented in the North East zone. A descriptive survey and tracer study approach were used, tracking 250 graduates of three technical colleges in Bauchi over a 24-month post-graduation period. Data were collected through telephone interviews and an online questionnaire. Findings revealed that 47 percent of graduates secured relevant employment within six months of graduation, while 28 percent became self-employed, and 25 percent remained unemployed. Graduates with additional certifications from NABTEB and those who completed industry attachments had significantly better employment outcomes. Key barriers to employment included employer preference for university-trained workers, absence of post-graduation placement services, and skill mismatches with current labor market demands. The study recommends establishing a dedicated graduate placement unit within each technical college, formalizing industry linkage agreements with Bauchi's manufacturing and construction sectors, and updating curricula annually based on employer feedback surveys. These findings are directly relevant to the Bauchi State Government's youth employment agenda. Keywords: vocational education, youth employment, technical colleges, Bauchi State, skills mismatch.