Towards a Strategic Framework for Effective TVET-Industry Partnership: Pathways to Sustainable Development

This paper explored the state of the partnership between the TVET sector and the industry by identifying the challenges and recommending a strategic framework to improve the collaboration. Research demonstrates that an effective and efficient partnership between TVET and industry promotes sustainable development in society. One of the drawbacks and factors that contribute to ineffective and inefficient collaboration is misaligned TVET-industry objectives. The misalignment of TVET programs with industry needs impact negatively on skills development, employability, and economic growth. The partnership between the two, namely TVET and industry enhances economic spurn-offs and social stability. In our exploration, we deployed a qualitative research method underpinned by interpretivism. Participants included students from both engineering and business studies students and academic support staff members. Amongst others, the study findings expose a significant lack of resources, curriculum alignment issues, and practical training opportunities, which hinder the preparedness of TVET graduates for the workplace.