Abstract

Globally, unemployment persists because skill levels and learner capabilities are not in tandem with job market requirements. Using logistic analysis, the present study probed determinants of employability of 150 graduates of Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Central Uganda and further predicted factors influencing their skills level by applying Tobit regression. On a 1 to 5 scale, skills averaged at 3.3. Employability depended on the skills level, age, gender, possessing a national award and disability status whereby the disabled had less likelihood of being employed. Class size, the training period, age and gender of the graduate significantly explained skill level of graduates. It was reported that the main methodology used to assess the graduates was class-based written testing. The paper argues that administrators of training institutions originate a special training and assessment methodology for the disabled. Class sizes should also be small and manageable for learners to be adequately trained and assessed. The study further proposes that the training period be longer and learners attend for the entire period to acquaint themselves with work-world demanded capabilities.

Key words: Employability, skill level, assessment, Logit model, Tobi model.