Prospects, Issues and Challenges of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Revamping Nigeria's Depressed Economy

Nigeria aspires to become a major player in the world economy in line with her Vision 20-2020. To achieve this ambitious goal, the most crucial vehicle apart from power and infrastructure, is a skilled and competent workforce. This is necessary for the effective implementation of national development projects and for attracting necessary international investment by hi-tech industries. (NBTE, 2011). Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is used as a comprehensive term referring to those aspects of the educational process involving, in addition to general education, the study of technologies and related sciences, the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupations in various sectors of economic and social life (UNESCO and ILO 2001) In addition to technical knowledge and aptitude, TVET is also concerned with softer skills like communication, negotiation and teamwork. It is dispensed in public and private educational establishments or other forms of formal or informal instructor aimed at granting all segments of the society access to lifelong resources.