Improving career guidance and counselling practices in Building construction in Uganda: a case of Nawanyago technical institute

Abstract

Career guidance and counselling services is one of the roles of teachers/instructors in training institutions which are offered to students to enlighten them about their career choices. This action research project aimed at improving career guidance and counselling practices in building construction at Nawanyago Technical Institute. The specific objectives of the study were: To establish the challenges faced by students due to inadequate career guidance and counselling, identify strategies for improving career guidance and counselling practices, implement possible strategies and evaluate the implemented strategies. Collaborative action research design was used. Data was collected from study sample of twenty five (25) participants who were purposively selected. Out of that number, eighteen (18) were students of building construction, three (3) were instructors of building construction, three (3) were administrators and one (1) civil engineer from the world of work. Future workshop was employed as a method to identify the key challenges faced due to inadequate career guidance and counselling. Data was collected using the focus group discussions, participatory observation, document analysis and questionnaire survey. The data collected was recorded and presented under themes following the research objectives. Evaluation of the strategies was done using observation method and instruments. Study key challenges were; lack of knowledge on career progression, lack of knowledge on how to relate well with workmates in the field, desperation, poor attitude towards the course, accidents in the workshop, lack of creativity, time wastage, early marriages, low self-esteem, stress and change of career. Identified interventions were; (i) conducting career talks to address the mentioned challenges, (ii) Integration of career guidance and counselling during teaching and learning, (iii) display of general workshop rules and regulations in building workshop. The results showed that this action research improved students' awareness about the course and changed their mind set. It was recommended that career talks should continue and an office for career guidance be established at NTI. Key words: Career, Guidance, Counselling, Collaborative, Implement, Evaluate