Influence of echnical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs on community development in Uganda: a caes of Mubende municipality, Mubende district.

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs on community development in Mubende Municipality, Uganda. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzed quantitative data from structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from key informant interviews to assess how technical skills training, entrepreneurship development, and industrial apprenticeships contribute to household income, social infrastructure, and social stability. The sample comprised 240 respondents, including TVET graduates, community members, industry partners, and officials, selected through stratified, systematic, and purposive sampling techniques. Quantitative analysis using SPSS revealed a significant positive relationship between each TVET component and community development indicators. Specifically, technical skills training demonstrated the strongest influence, with a correlation coefficient of 0.672 (p<0.001) and accounting for 45.2% of the variance in community development. Similarly, entrepreneurship development and apprenticeships showed moderate but significant correlations (r=0.588 and r=0.610, respectively). Regression analyses further confirmed the predictive strength of these variables. Qualitative data corroborated these findings, highlighting how practical skills enable graduates to improve local infrastructure, establish small enterprises, and reduce youth idleness and delinquency. The study concludes that TVET programs significantly enhance household income, strengthen social infrastructure, and promote social cohesion and stability within Mubende. However, challenges such as resource constraints, limited industry linkages, and inadequate funding remain. The findings advocate for increased government and private sector investment in modernizing training facilities, establishing financial support mechanisms, and formalizing industry partnerships. The study contributes to understanding the localized impact of TVET on community development and offers policy recommendations for aligning vocational training with socio-economic needs in similar peri-urban Ugandan contexts. It underscores the vital role of comprehensive TVET strategies in fostering sustainable community growth and resilience.