Vocational Training and Youth Unemployment Reduction in Ibadan, Oyo State

This study examined the effectiveness of vocational training programmes in reducing youth unemployment in Ibadan, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. Nigeria's escalating youth unemployment crisis has intensified interest in non-degree pathways such as vocational and technical education as means of improving employability. The study adopted a descriptive survey design targeting 220 graduates of vocational training programmes offered by three government-approved training institutes in Ibadan. Questionnaires, structured interviews, and programme records formed the basis of data collection. Findings indicated that vocational training significantly improved participants' self-employment rates, particularly in trades such as electrical installation, automobile repairs, and fashion design. However, a notable proportion of graduates struggled to secure initial employment due to inadequate access to start-up capital, limited market linkages, and the absence of post-training support structures. Male graduates were more likely to enter formal employment compared to their female counterparts, reflecting persistent gender disparities in vocational career pathways. The study also noted that training quality varied considerably across institutions, with privately managed centres generally outperforming government-operated ones in terms of instructor qualifications and equipment availability. Recommendations include establishing government-backed micro-credit schemes for vocational graduates, strengthening public-private partnerships, and developing standardised competency assessment frameworks. These measures are expected to improve programme outcomes and increase youth integration into the productive economy. Keywords: vocational training, youth unemployment, self-employment, Oyo State, employability.