Work-based competence and entrepreneurship training: a case study of Uganda College of Commerce Aduku, Apac district

Abstract

This study sought to examine whether the entrepreneurship training curriculum offered at Uganda College of Commerce Aduku equips students with competences required in the world of work. The study was guided by three objectives; to establish the competence required of the entrepreneurship students in the world of work; examine whether the content in the entrepreneurship curriculum offered meets the world of work requirements and to establish the pedagogical approaches employed. The study was qualitative using descriptive design, based on 47 respondents comprising final year students, graduates, lecturers and entrepreneurs. The respondents were selected using convenient sampling technique, census sampling technique, snowball sampling technique and purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using in-depth interview guides, observation checklist, documentary checklist and focus group discussion guide. Data was analyzed descriptively using tables. The main findings revealed that the work-based competences acquired were inadequate, the content in the curriculum emphasizes theoretical training and the methods employed were traditional. Basing on these findings, the study concluded that, there were inadequate work-based competences due to the theoretically based content and traditional training approaches. The study therefore recommends that the National Curriculum Development Centre reviews entrepreneurship training curriculum with focus on the content and entrepreneurial pedagogical approaches.