ABSTRACT
The relationship
between education and the chances of getting unemployed, is crucial in
assessingbenefits from investment in
education.Research has shown that
education has a considerableimpact
on labour market outcomes through gaining employment and expected earnings.
Educationwould also increase the
intensity and effectiveness of job search considering that more educatedpersons have higher and broader
possibilities to search for vacancies than less educated ones.Nigerian youths are faced with many
difficulties in terms of transition from school to theemployment.ThehigherproportionoftheyouthfulpopulationinNigeriasignifiesanincreasein the number of people within the working age which inherently implies
an increase in laboursupply and
demand for job opportunities. This study found that university graduates,
youths withgeneraleducation certificatesand thosewho studied in institutions located in urbanareas find it easier in getting employment than their
counterparts with secondary or primary level ofschooling, graduates from TVET and youths from rural
institutions of learning. Youths withprimary
level of education on average are more prone to be unemployed than young people
who have secondary school certificates or
higher. Empirical studies show that youths with lower levels ofeducationquicklygetemploymentbutoftenconfinedtoprecariousjobswithlittlesocialprotection,and arecrowded inthe informal
sector.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY
As policy makers focus on reducing
unemployment, many look to economic growth as a key driver of job creation.
Certainly a growing economy can lead to new jobs and increased prosperity.
However, higher growth rates do not necessarily lead to more job opportunities
or lower unemployment. Increased productivity due to new technologies or higher
commodity prices can produce economic growth without corresponding job
creation. Additionally, growth is not necessarily shared among a population
equally. It is often concentrated in particular sectors, having relatively
little impact on other portions of the populations. Governments and other Institutions
(such as employer associations, NGOs and universities) have critical roles to
play in implementing policies and programs that reduce unemployment while
encouraging economic growth. One way to increase the employability of a
population and promote job creation is to improve the quality of education.
Education contributes to overall economic growth by improving the efficiency of
the workforce and leading to higher rates of individual productivity, which in
turn lead to a higher demand for qualified workers.
Education can provide individuals with the
necessary market skills to be relevant in the economy. However, this can only
happen when the quality of education is ensured. The issue is that most
educational systems do not foster inventive thinking, communication skills,
problem solving or the other competencies that can help individuals do well in
their jobs. In order to change this situation and maximize the benefits of
education while increasing the employability of graduates, collaboration is
needed between governments, the private sector and educational Institutions.
Such collaboration could support the
preparedness of workers by aligning the supply and demand of skilled graduates
while ensuring the system operates in a favorable policy environment. For
example, the German dual system of apprenticeship is often touted as a model
for other countries in reducing youth unemployment. This program allows youth
to accrue important work experience that will make them more employable and
facilitates the school-to-work transition.
The German system involves close
collaboration between the government and the private sector where the cost and
development of the training’s content is shared jointly by both bodies.
Learning from the success of the apprenticeship programs like this one can
provide guidance on how youth unemployment can be reduced. There is therefore a
need to carry out a study on the roles of education in generating employment in
the society.
1.2
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Education is a major tool for national
development; it gives people the ability to interact intelligently with the
outside world. However, the effectiveness of education in generating employment
is one of the major concerns in our society. The rate of unemployment among
youth in our society is so alarming and disturbing.
Decades ago, people always perceive education
as an escape route from poverty but the reverse is the case now because there
are so many unemployed graduates who are finding so difficult to get good jobs.
Some cannot even afford a decent meal and house. Most people now see schooling
as a waste of time since there is no assurance of a good after graduation.
The educational sectors have a limited space
for employment. It is important for the government to establish more
educational Institutions in order to increase the level of employement in the
society. Few number of companies in the society is the cause why hundreds of
graduate will apply for vacant position has can only be occupied by few people.
So this study focuses on the roles of education In generating employment in the
society.
1.3
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The general objective of this study is to
examine the role of education in generating employment in the society. The
specific objectives are:
1.
To ascertain if education equips youths on the required skills for
employment.
2.
To find if education influences the employability of people in the
society.
3.
To examine if the educational sectors provide job for people in the
society.
4.
To determine if education is really an important requirement for getting
a good job.
5.
To ascertain the level of unemployment among youths in the society.
1.4
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
The relevant research questions related to
this study are:
1.
Does education equips youths on the required skills for employment?
2.
Does education influences the employability of people in the society?
3.
Do the educational sectors provide job for people in the society?
4.
Is education really an important requirement for getting a good job?
5.
What is the level of unemployment among youths in the society?
1.5
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings from this study are relevant to
youths, parents and most importantly the government. This study helps students
to know the importance of education in generating employment and how it equips
them on the required skills needed for interacting intelligently with people in
the world. To parents, it educates them on the reasons why they should give
their children the best education they can. Schooling is an important way of
educating a child, parent are expected to encourage their children on the
relevance of education. Education is the right of every child.
The roles of the government in generating
employment for educated youth are well emphasized in this study. Measures
should be taken in using education as a channel of generating employment for
graduates, building of more educational Institution will also provide more jobs
for graduates. For these reasons and many others, it is glaring that there is a
need to carry out an investigation on the roles of education in generating employment
in the society.
The finding from this research can also be
used as a reference material for other researchers who will likely carry out a
study on a related topic
1.6
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The scope of this study is restricted to the
roles of education in generating employment in the society.
1.7
LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Some of the major constraints the researchers
encountered in putting up this research include lack of time, lack of
willingness to give information by respondent and also limited resources
1.8
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Education: is the act or process of imparting
or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and
judgment, and generally of preparing oneself or others intellectually for
mature life.
Employment is a relationship between two
parties, usually based on a contract where work is paid for, where one party,
which may be a corporation, for profit, not-for-profit organization,
co-operative or other entity is the employer and the other is the employee.
Workforce: the people engaged in or available
for work, either in a country or area or in a particular firm or industry.
Economic growth is an increase in the
capacity of an economy to produce goods and services, compared from one period
of time to another.
Employability: the skills and abilities that
allow you to be employed.