ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES OF POLYTECHNICS: A CASE STUDY OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, NEKEDE, OWERRI

Abstract

Many of our youths roam the streets in search of jobs that are not available. To further compound this, most of these graduates lack appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes to be self-employed and therefore are not self-reliant. The aim of this study was to determine the entrepreneurial opportunities which are available to students, the extent of utilization of the available entrepreneurial opportunities and the reason for a particular choice of skill area. Descriptive Survey design was utilized for this study. Descriptive survey design was deemed appropriate since individual opinions, attitudes and perceptions of the respondents were sought as basis for generalization. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the results. A total of 1,160 copies of questionnaire were distributed to HND II students across 29 departments. The results of the study indicated that a large number of students were aware of all the entrepreneurial skill areas available to them as provided by the institution. The study showed that students took advantage of entrepreneurial skill areas and actually received training in the skill areas of their choices. However, the study revealed that the choices made were largely dependent on financial
constraints on the part of the students. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that government should make available financial resources that will enable the graduates start up their own business to help sustain the acquired skills and also make them self-employed and/or employers of labour.

KEYWORDS: Entrepreneurial, Opportunities, Polytechnic, Graduates