ENHANCING WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES IN EDO STATE

The study examined the specific ways in which women participation in Vocational Training Programmes in Edo South Senatorial District could be enhanced. A total of two hundred and forty (240) women were randomly selected from five Vocational Training Centres in Edo South Senatorial District. The main instrument used for the study was the questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and simple percentages. The study revealed that certain vocational skills enjoyed higher patronage than the others. It also identified lack of accessibility to training centres, high cost of acquiring skills, lack of spouse support, limited human and material resources among others as factors hindering women participation in vocational programmes. It was therefore recommended, that resources in terms of instructors, equipment and infrastructure should be adequately provided and improved upon, establishment of more centres especially in the rural setting should be encouraged, existing centres should be expanded, scope of vocational skills should be broadened and above all free interest loan should be given to women participants