Perceptions of VET Tour Guide Trainees and Graduates of Their Development of Employability Skills for Labour Market Needs in Tanzania

This study was conducted to determine the perceptions of tour guide trainees and graduates from vocational education and training (VET) centres regarding their development of employability skills relevant to the labour market needs. The study employed a mixed-method approach informed by cross-sectional surveys and descriptive case-study designs. It involved 149 respondents, including 118 trainees and 31 graduates. Questionnaires and interview methods were used to collect data. The quantitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis techniques and One-Way ANOVA, while the qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings indicated that the perceptions of the trainees and graduates about the status of their development of employability skills relevant to the labour market need significantly differed at a 5% level in the aspects of the employability skills concerned (professional, technical, behavioural) and changed relatively with the levels of study. However, all the respondents had a general perception that they were not self-sufficient to meet the labour market needs. Thus, the study recommends that the directorate of the vocational education and training system, in collaboration with the VET centres, should improve the curriculum and pedagogical practices to ensure that critical employability skills are developed among the trainees to meet the market needs.