A SURVEY OF THE IMPACT OF SKILLS ACQUISITION ON JOB CREATION AND POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG YOUTHS IN ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The lamentable state of youth unemployment, crime and poverty in Nigerian calls for a holistic overhaul. Previous studies have concentrated on the problems of youth unemployment. This paper therefore investigated the impacts of skills acquisition centres on youth empowerment in Ondo State, Nigeria. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted. A self-designed instrument named ‘Perception on Impacts of Skills Acquisition on Job Creation and Poverty Reduction in Ondo State’ (PISAJCPROS) was used to elicit information from 120 respondents. Two (2) research questions were raised and answered. The data collected were analyzed with simple percentages, frequency tables and mean scores at 5% level of significance. The result showed that skill acquisition had significant impact on employment generation and poverty reduction. The study revealed poor funding and poor electricity as problems facing skills acquisition centres. The study also recommended adequate funding of skill acquisition centres and stable supply of electricity.