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DOI: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172
Sociology and Criminology-Open Access
en Access
So

ISSN: 2375-4435

Research Article
Research Article Open
OMICS Access
International

Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in

Nigeria
Fajobi TA*, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI and Adedoyin A
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract
This study essentially seeks to understand the importance of apprenticeship training to development in
Nigeria, factors responsible for decline in apprenticeship development and career implication for youth engaging
in apprenticeship. The study engaged both Parson functional perquisite postulate and Modernization theory in
advancing understanding on the subject matter. The research work engages cross-sectional research approach,
which combines Questionnaires and in-depth interview (IDIs) in sourcing for useful information from selected wards
in Ife-east Local Government, Osun State. Cluster sampling technique was engaged in selecting 150 respondents
for administration of questionnaire while purposive sampling was engaged in selecting 10 interviewees for in-
depth interviews sessions. Data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. Findings from this study
revealed Nigerian economy cannot develop until apprenticeship is encouraged among the youths and among other
recommendations, strongly recommended that incentive should be implemented for youth who want to engage in
skill acquisitions and apprenticeship should be encouraged among youth as career pathway for alleviating poverty.

Keywords: Apprenticeship; Development; Nigeria; Unemployment; tackling the unemployment surge among youths in Nigeria. Thus, such
Youths magnitude of idleness among youths who are the supposed catalyst
for development ordinarily translates to anything, but meaningful
Introduction development in Nigeria. As such, reasonable attention which should
One of the most frequented subjects of discourse in the 21st century have been focus on alternative empowerment schemes especially
Africa had always been development as the continent and its imbedded apprenticeship to activate the role of youths in development have
countries revel in the challenges of underdevelopment. Classical been conspicuously neglected. Such skill acquisitions training within
economists often posit that this is due to the consuming nature of the confines of apprenticeship will have affords youths a means to
African nations and a tilt away from manufacturing and agriculture. be relevant along the line of a particular profession, such as fashion
Such arguments reflect the situation of undermined relevance of skills designing, furniture making and other related endeavors.
acquisition in Nigeria. According to International Labour Organisation International Labor Organization ILO enunciated the importance
[1], Unemployment is among the biggest threats to social stability in of training in a fast changing world when it asserted that “The illiterate
many countries (including Nigeria), putting the global rate at 12.6%. of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read or write, but those
When compared with her counterparts in the continent, Nigeria’s who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. Thus most youths in Ile-Ife
unemployment crisis is more serious. Nigeria is believed to be one and Nigeria as a whole did not see apprenticeship as a career pathway
of the countries in the world with highest rate of unemployed youths towards career prospect rather than in academic training in the
in which her labour force are not adequately utilized, due to lack of university or higher institution. Thus the prospects and productivity
employment skills and consequently, a very wide skills gap. accrued to youths involvement in apprenticeship training is one that
Essentially, apprenticeship is a common trend in the world in ordinarily adds to a nation’s GDP and enhances standard of living of the
which youth and adolescent are empower in the country, the world people. These situations pose great challenges to the very existence of
changing realities of globalization, competitiveness and knowledge youths in most developing nations especially in Ile-ife Community and
based economy, strongly underscore the importance of training and Nigeria which constitute the labour force and also struggling with the
skills acquisition among workers [1]. According to Dike [2] the United challenge of acquiring employability skill so as to function effectively
in the society in which they live in. However, such initiatives (which
States is not the only society that appreciates skills acquired through
appear grossly uninstituted) are conspicuously left in oblivion as a path
vocational and technical education. The Dutch school system is said
to development in Nigeria have been discussed in the literature with
to pay attention to provision of vocational education at ages 14-16
for a third of all pupils, and widespread vocational education at 16+.
Secondary (high) schools in many other development-conscious
nations have vocational centres that offer vocational training for lifelong *Corresponding author: Adetayo FT, Department of Sociology and Anthropology,
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, Tel: (234)08037176473; E-mail:
trade together with general academic studies. For instance, India and fajobiadetayo@[Link]
the Asian Tigers could not have become what they are without massive
Received May 02, 2017; Accepted September 22, 2017; Published September
investment in technical education. However, because of recent changes 29, 2017
in world economy many vocational and technical schools have shifted
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges
emphasis to training on the computers and information technology [2]. of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria. Social
Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172
Specifically, apprenticeship as a veritable vehicle which is one
of the major functional perquisites for employment generation and Copyright: © 2017 Fajobi TA, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted
poverty reduction at low investment cost as well as improving the use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and
wellbeing of the individuals has not been adequately harnessed in source are credited.

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 2 of 8

focuses on entrepreneurship but with little consideration on how youth the same World Bank, rose to 50 million a year later [10]. What make
unemployment can be curb courtesy of conspicuously apprenticeship the situation more worrisome are the controversies over whose figure
development approach among youths in Nigeria. is most correct or acceptable. It appears that the government is still at
a cross-road about the actual percentage of her unemployed populace.
Literature Review For instance, in May 2013, the NBS put the figure of the unemployed
Overview of skill acquisition and unemployment situation in Nigeria at 23.9% [11]. While [Link]-Iweala, former Minister of
Finance and the Chairperson of the Economic Team in Nigeria puts the
among youths in Nigeria
current figure at 37% [9]. Meanwhile, experts and critics have disagreed
Unemployment has become a major problem for most countries with the NBS and Minister’s figure, arguing that research had shown
across the world. In the USA for instance unemployment had increased that the current level of unemployment in Nigeria was above 40% and
from 5 percent in 2007 to 9 percent in 2011. That of Spain has risen would rise to 50% at the end of this year [9]. For instance Akintude
from 8.6 percent to 21.52 percent as a result of the debt crisis in Europe; Maberu, renowned financial analyst and stockbroker in Okorocha [12]
UK, from 5.3 to 8.1 percent while that of Greece rose from 8.07 to 18.4 study posited that government is yet to come up with conscientious and
percent during the same period [3]. The average unemployment rate people-oriented policies targeted at getting millions of unemployed
within the African continent is generally high. South Africa, Africa’s Nigerian youths actively and meaningfully engaged. He argued that
largest economy have 25 percent unemployment rate, Botswana at 17.5 reversing the trend of rising youth unemployment must start from the
percent, Angola at 25 percent and Kenya at 11.7 percent [4]. It must be nation’s education sector, which he said must be overhauled along the
noted that the population of these countries is lower than Nigeria’s. An line of skills acquisition.
unemployment ratio of 23.9 percent of the total population will mean
that over 38 million Nigerians are unemployed. Of the workforce, it Importance of the informal apprenticeship system to
means that 16 million are unemployed. Many of these youths lack development
vocational education and technical skills which make them casualties Skills training in Nigeria occur in the private and public sectors, the
in an increasingly competitive economy [5]. most significant institution that provides such training in the private
Unemployment is one of the fundamental developmental sector is the informal apprenticeship scheme. This scheme is no doubt
challenges facing Nigeria at the moment. Research has shown that the most important method of skills transfer in the country’s informal
unemployment was high in the 1980s, but the available reports from economy. This is because they offer a more cost effective and flexible
various local and international bodies, and the glaring evidence means of skills transfer that absorbs a larger number of youths in
of joblessness in these decades are clear indications that there was Nigeria than their formal and publicly financed counterparts. Informal
no time in Nigeria’s chequered history where unemployment is as apprenticeship is very popular in most urban centres in Nigeria, they
serious as now. One cannot really conclude that the government at account for about 85% of skills training and transfer in most parts
one level or the other has not done anything at one time or the other, of the country. According to Ariyo [13], the informal economy is
to reduce unemployment in Nigeria. Youth unemployment has been regarded as the powerhouse of developing economies of the world. Its
increasing because most youth lack relevant marketable skills. The importance is based on the fact that it accounts for more than 80%
Federal government recently acknowledged that about 80 percent of of agricultural employment and 95% of new jobs in these countries,
Nigeria’s youth are unemployed while 10 percent are underemployed including a vast number of unemployed youths and young people
[6]. According to the National Bureau of statistics [7] the national that enter the labour market annually. As a form of education and
unemployment rates for Nigeria between 2000 and 2009 showed that training, informal apprenticeship contributes significantly to youth
unemployed persons constituted 31.1%, 13.6% in 2001, 12.6% in 2002, employment and empowerment, thereby reducing youth restiveness,
13.4% in 2004, 13.7% in 2006, 14.9% in 2008, and 19.7% in 2009. With while ensuring productivity and better employment opportunities.
respect to age group, education and sex NBS [7] data showed that Such apprenticeship training occurs exclusively in the private sector,
persons aged between 15 and 24 years had 41.6% unemployed. For where the owner of an informal enterprise takes on apprentices, usually
persons between 25 and 44 years, 17% were unemployed. For persons for a fee, and provides training in traditional skills over a period of
with primary education 14.8% were unemployed while those with three or more years. Within the manufacturing sector, these skills are
post-secondary education had 21.3% unemployed. As regards sex, data mainly in carpentry, sewing, and metal work. Particularly in West
showed that males constituted 17% of the unemployed while females Africa, traditional apprenticeships are a far more important source of
constituted 23.3 [7]. training than formal training and vocational education systems [14,15].

On the other hand, the creation of National Directorate of In addition, understanding the age distribution in the informal
Employment (NDE) and its skills acquisition programmes, NAPEP, apprenticeship scheme is crucial to understanding the distribution of
PAP, the SURE-P,YOUWIN, just to mention a few, are some of the population in the system. The age range from apprentices to masters
various intervention mechanisms aimed at ensuring economic growth in the informal apprenticeship training system is from 11 to 60 years
that is rich with job creation opportunities. Besides, the Federal of age in Nigeria and differs from enterprise to enterprise. It is in a bid
Government over the years has been claiming strong real GDP growth to help young people find employment outside the formal system that
rate measuring at 6% or 6.5% since 2005 till date [8,9]. This is apparently informal apprenticeship admits applicants below the legally acceptable
a paradox. A situation whereby, there is a decade of strong real GDP age. In some parts of the country children between the ages of 10 to 14
of 6.5% economic growth, and in the same period, unemployment rate work, as apprentices and in some cases 49% of school age children are
continue to rise annually from 11.9% in 2005 to 19.7% in 2009, and in the informal apprenticeship system in Nigeria [13]. Majority of these
over 37% in 2013% [8,9]. children if not in the informal apprenticeship end up on the streets
hawking just to make ends meet. It is in recognition of this fact that the
According to a 2009 World Bank Report, 40 million (28.57%) of the government allow for more and more young people to be apprentices
country’s employable people are unemployed. The figure, according to in certain enterprises rather than wander the streets. According to

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 3 of 8

Breyer [16] apprentice on average have some level of educational This has often resulted into non-completion of the apprentice period
attainment, only about 3% of apprentices do not have any form of due to inability of the apprentice to cope with the physical and
educational qualification whatsoever. The informal apprenticeship intellectual requirements of the career [17]. The problem of outdated
training is embarked upon by apprentices as an alternative to formal and unimplemented policy is also a major problem confronting the
education this is because most of them cannot afford secondary, higher practice of apprenticeship system in Nigeria. As practiced today, there
or technical education. As such they result to apprenticeship schemes seems not to be any guiding principle from government as regulatory
as a means of acquiring some skills that will make them employable agency for apprenticeship system. The haphazard nature makes it less
in the society. It has been noticed that there is a disparity amongst the attractive to youths and graduates. Consequently, the society lacks
educational qualification attained by masters compared to apprentices. competent bricklayers, carpenters, printers, auto mechanics, laboratory
Masters tend to have attained a higher level of education compared to and pharmacy technicians, vocational nurses etc. [18].
their apprentice counterparts, a reason for this is that masters are much
Corruption, which has permeated the entire social structure of
older and have had the chance to go through technical/secondary/
Nigeria, has robbed the country of developing a vibrant economic base.
higher education at some point in time, although not in all cases.
Funds meant for development projects have been misappropriated,
Factors responsible for decline in apprenticeship diverted, or embezzled and stashed away in foreign banks, while
development some incompetent and corrupt bureaucrats and administrators in the
public enterprises and parastatals have liquidated these organizations
Adekola [17] and Anyadike et al. [18] posited that for a very long [19]. The point being made is that the collaboration of the political
time, the pattern of decline in apprenticeship has evolved through elites, local and foreign contractors in the inflation of contract fees
socio-cultural process in the society. These patterns make it difficult have robbed Nigeria of the chances of using more than $500 billion
for the master craftsmen and the apprentice to practice effectively in a estimated revenue from the oil sale in the last 50 years to develop
conducive atmosphere. According to Adekola [17] one major problem apprenticeship skills acquisition that would have created jobs for the
of apprenticeship system is that, it is generally believed to be meant for youths in various sectors of the economy [20]. Thus crippling the
people who cannot do well in the formal education system or those economy and engendering and exacerbating unemployment which
whose parents cannot afford to sponsor their education. This particular creates abject poverty, hunger and frustration; killing the zeal and
problem makes it difficult to attract young graduates and youths means for apprenticeship development in the Nigerian youths.
of school age into the system. It is assumed that people undergoing
apprenticeship are ‘never do well’ people and they are not given Anyadike et al. [18] acknowledge that the general Nigerian value
deserved respect like their counterparts in the formal school system. system, which appears to have cultivated a new value system just
The attitude of the masters in most cases constitutes a hindrance to the like the larger society in their quest for making fast money as well
practice of apprenticeship. This is caused by the fact that they are not as generally living on the fast lane. For example, the apprenticeship
trained in the act of teaching. Most masters are difficult and have little system of the olden days is fast disappearing. Gone are the days when
skill to sustain the interest of the apprentice on the job. This makes the a master automechanic would have about three to five apprentices
rate of drop-out and non-completers to be high. under his tutelage. While many youths would sign up to learn a trade,
a great majority of them quit apprenticeship and opt for motorcycle
Anyadike et al. [18] posited that funding contributes to the taxi business (popularly called Okada) to start making money while
problem facing the practice of apprenticeship in developing countries. some who remain to learn the trade don’t stay long enough to acquire
The economic condition of most parents of the apprentice and the the necessary skill. One implication is that in a few years’ time Nigeria
apprentice themselves in most cases made it difficult for them to sponsor will begin to experience an acute shortage of artisans. Youths are not
the training for the agreed period. The master craftsmen themselves are motivated to choose vocational and technical education. This may be
not spared of the problem of poverty. In most cases, they find it difficult why it is common to find many legislators donate motorcycles to youths
to equip their workshop with necessary equipment that can improve in their constituencies under the name of “youth empowerment” [18].
efficiency and make them meet up with contemporary technological
needs. They explained further that general Nigerian value system which Politically, lack of Political Will on the side of our political leaders
appears to have cultivated a new value system just like the lager society have been a more hindrance to entrepreneurship development and
in their quest for making fast money as well as generally living on the reduction of unemployment in Nigeria [21]. The neglect of vocational/
fast lane. For example, apprenticeship system of the olden days is fast technical education has been robbing the nation of the potential
disappearing. Gone are the days when a master auto-mechanic would contributions of its graduates to national growth and economic
development. Consequently, the society lacks competent bricklayers,
have about three to five apprentices under his tutelage. While many
carpenters, printers, auto mechanics, laboratory and pharmacy
youths would sign up to learn a trade, a great majority of them quit
technicians, vocational nurses etc.
apprenticeship and opt for motorcycle riding or taxi driving business
to start making money while some who remain to learn the trade do However, Eneh [22] pointed out in his findings that, artisans
not stay long enough to acquire the necessary skills. One implication not only accepted that there was a serious decline in the rate of
is that in few years´ times Nigeria will begin to experience an acute apprenticeship and available technical service, but decried the situation
shortage of artisans [18]. and were frightened by the perceived impact on the society in future.
Most artisans (98%) attributed the decline to increasing quest for
In addition, choosing of wrong career by the apprentice constituted formal education, 81% to get-rich-quick mentality, 68% to unconducive
a constraint to the development of apprenticeship system. Due to lack business environment, 48% to indolence, 19% to lack of respect for
of exposure, limited knowledge of psychology and career counseling, artisans and technicians in the society and 8% to lack of patronage.
apprentice often make wrong career choice. In most cases, career are Respondents submitted that the government education programmes,
forced on would be apprentice by the parents or guardians without due such as the UPE of 1976 and UBE of 1999, which made going to school
consideration for the interest, ability and capability of the apprentice. mandatory for school-age children, had drastically trimmed down the

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 4 of 8

number of children going for technical apprenticeship. it was further public sector enterprises. Rather, traditional apprenticeships are a
pointed out by Eneh [23] that indolence and get-rich-quick mentality route to self-employment or employment in small, informal sector
of the citizens had resulted in increasing rate of school drop-out and jobs [14]. The idea, Maberu explained, in Okorocha [12] is that with
demand for buying and selling for quick profit with limited stress, adequate skills and hands-on experience in various vocations, Nigerian
especially as there was poor respect for artisans, but high respect for graduates would be self-employed after leaving school while those
wealth, no matter how ill-gotten. Poor business environment had in school would find something doing even before completing their
forced many technical workshops to close down, since they lacked education. He said that this would save Nigerian youths the stress and
electric power supply, had to pay multiple taxations, had little or no trauma of endless and fruitless search for paid employments in a highly
incentives from government and were shunned by banks from which saturated labour market. The approach, according to him, has become
they requested for capital. These issues agreed with earlier reports on even more necessary considering the fact that many Nigerian graduates
problems of small and medium enterprises in Southeast Nigeria [23]. are unemployable [12].
Career implication for youths engaging in apprenticeship Onyenekenwa in his findings, pointed out that, about 31% of
training the artisans were able to finance their relations’ primary education
and 58% their marriage rites. About 3% of them afforded to build a
Haywood and Teal [24] posited that Nigeria is now the largest residential house in the village and only 3% in the city. About 7% of
economy in sub-Saharan Africa, by population and economic size. The them were able to finance their wife’s post-secondary education and
employment opportunities for its young people are a central topic in 5% could train selves in post-secondary education. About 61% of
policy debates in the country. It is believed that apprenticeships are them could finance their children’s primary, 60% the secondary and
an important occupational outcome for young people in Nigeria, 22% the tertiary education. Only 1% of the artisans owned a private
where almost all apprenticeships are in the private traditional small- car, while 2% owned a commercial bus. It was stated further that these
scale sector. Essentially, skill training in Nigeria occurs in the private were some of the parameters for measuring people’s arrival or success
and public sectors, the most significant institution that provides such in life in typical Nigerian society. Nigerians respect someone who has
training in the private sector is the informal apprenticeship scheme. the love for education, the heart and means to train his relations in
This scheme is no doubt the most important method of skills transfer the African extended family network, children, wife and self in school;
in the country’s informal economy. This is because they offer a more show affluence in society marriage rites; build a house in the village
cost effective and flexible means of skills transfer that absorbs a larger and in the city and own a private car as well as a commercial vehicle.
number of youths in Nigeria than their formal and publicly financed The younger ones looked up to such a person and would like to be
counterparts. Informal apprenticeship is very popular in most urban like him. Found that an average of 25.6% of the artisans was able to
centers in Nigeria, they account for about 85% of skills training and meet the societal expectations. This poor general score could account
transfer in most parts of the country. It is a major source of livelihood, for desertion of apprenticeship and technical trades by up-coming
means of being employed and actively engaging in economically generations. No young person would like to take after the career of a
worthwhile ventures. There are different enterprises that engage in person considered to be a failure in the society. They prefer to toe the
apprenticeship schemes, which include; wielding, auto-mechanics, line of those considered to have arrived (made it or succeeded in life)
auto-electricians, tailoring, generator repairing, mobile phone in the society.
repairing, carpentry, furniture making, catering, manicure/pedicure,
and plumbing. These trades of the informal apprenticeship scheme Theoretical discourse
are recognized as a means of absorbing and training unemployed Parson functional perquisite postulate affirmed that informal
youths through manpower development and economic empowerment vocational training (apprenticeship) has been serving as an
[13]. Thus, according to Atuwokiki [25] youths engage in apprentice indispensable complement since enormous demands have been
training in Nigeria as a means of skills development and employment. placed on it. The theory believed that large number of youths migrated
Comparative studies of apprenticeship in sub-Saharan Africa find often to urban centre in search of job opportunities believed to exist
it to be most common in West Africa. This may be due to the higher in urban centre, but such unrealistic beliefs came to light as there
incomes and greater degree of urbanization in the region, creating are no opportunities for the migrant to tap into. Hence, the young
demand for manufactures that small-scale enterprises are well equipped migrant soon find it convenient to attach themselves to apprenticeship
to meet. As in Ghana, most such enterprises in Nigeria will be run by workshops to acquire skill to be able to be relevant and functional in
people who have graduated from apprenticeships and who themselves the society. Moreover, Modernization theory categorically affirmed
employ apprentices. With wage opportunities declining rapidly for the that a simple and relatively straightforward process of socio-economic
young in Nigeria and with continuing growth in demand within the development and social adaptation in a given country can be attained
informal sector, apprenticeship will become increasingly attractive. The through promotion of apprenticeship system. Modernization theory
high rates of joblessness in Nigeria may be due to the low returns for affirmed that societies that are facing hunger, unemployment and
many in the informal sector (those with other means of support do not poverty to experience modern ways of life through job opportunities
wish to enter the sector) and to the existence of credit constraints that provided which are not in abundance can be alleviated through keying
prevent young adults from being able to pay the costs of undertaking into apprenticeship programmes.
an apprenticeship [26]. Thus, in contrast to educational systems with
Theoretical hybridization
parallel academic and vocational educational streams, in sub-Saharan
countries vocational training through apprenticeships may be an This theoretical synthesis entails the integration of the two applied
enforced choice for young people when further progress in the formal theories. The result is therefore a hybrid theory with enhanced efficacy.
academic educational system is blocked, either by financial constraints While the Parson functional perquisite postulate provides a succinct
or by their academic performance. Further, most apprenticeships explanation of the functional imperative of apprenticeship to socio-
are not a route into formal wage employment in large enterprises or economic development of Nigeria, the modernization theory has

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 5 of 8

categorically affirmed that apprenticeship has continue to provide where less number of respondents, 5 percent had their primary school
standardized alternative occupational qualification and a context for not completed. In addition majority of the respondents who are master
socialization in Nigerian societies. craftsmen, 66.7 percent had their secondary school completed where
lower number of respondents, 1.1 percent had their primary school not
Methodology completed within the study area. This show that master craftsmen had
The study was carried out in Ile-Ife town in Osun State, South higher education than their apprentices in the study area. For the age
western Nigeria. The study employed mixed-method research design. distribution, higher number of respondents who are apprentices, 43.3
Primary sources of data collection were engaged. Primary data were percent ranged between 13 and 18 years of age in which less number
collected through the administration of semi-structure questionnaire 11.7 percent of the respondents ranged between 25 years of age and
in which the researcher fill in the response of the respondents since above. In addition higher number of the respondents who are master
majority are semi illiterate and conduct of in-depth interview (IDI) craftsmen, 56.7 percent ranged between 30-39 years of age where fewer
sessions through tape recording and note taking. Ife east was randomly numbers 7.8 percent of the respondents ranged between 50 years of age
selected from the existing 2 L.G.A within ile-ife town because of and above.
prevalent rate of unemployment among the youth in the communities. However, the study showed that majority of the youths is not
Due to the absence of a sampling frame, the respondents were selected actively involving in apprenticeship training. The finding also showed
through cluster sampling technique as a result of problem of gathering that the master craftsmen had higher education than the apprentices
information from the population that is wide in profession and in the study area. This corroborated with the findings of Breyer [16]
dispersed. The respondents were selected based on their occupations that apprentice on average have some level educational attainment,
(transportation, building and clothing), out of which 150 respondents only about 3% of apprentices do not have any form of educational
were selected randomly from two wards Okerewe I and modakeke II) qualification whatsoever. He stated that there is a disparity amongst the
within the L.G.A. Each group consisted of Transportation: Mechanics, educational qualification attained by masters compared to apprentices.
panel beater, Rewires, Vulcanizers and Car-sprayers; Building: Masters tend to have attained a higher level of education compared to
Bricklayers, Carpenters, plumbers, Electricians, welders and Air- their apprentice counterparts.
conditional repairer; Clothing: Tailors, Shoe makers, barbers and
Hair-dressers. In each group 30 master-craftsmen and 20 apprentices Importance of apprenticeship Training
were randomly selected. Fewer numbers of apprentices were selected In Table 2, majority of the respondents 70 percent reported that
due to the fact that there is a lack of interest of youths in the informal the relevance of apprenticeship training to Nigeria economy is very
training which was obtained through pilot study. For the IDI session important with less number of respondents 5.6 percent reported that
5 interviewees (youths: who are not in apprenticeship programmes it is not important. Lastly, the findings revealed that master craftsmen
and Parents: who or does not have their child (ren) in apprenticeship evaluation of their apprentices to basic training was after three months
training) each were purposively selected based on their knowledge and (82.2 percent) and used 2 years in evaluating their apprentices to basic
experiences on the issues relating to apprenticeship giving overall of knowledge of skill acquisition (33.3 percent) within the study area.
10 interviewees. Questionnaire and in-depth interviews data collected
were analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. However, the findings showed that the relevance of apprenticeship
training to Nigeria development is very important. The findings also
Results and Discussion of the Study showed that skill acquisitions were introduced to the apprentices after
This section focuses on the results and discussions of data obtain three months to the workplace and it take the apprentices 2-3 years
from the field research. The first section duel on socio-demographic to grasp the basic knowledge of skill acquisition. This is corroborated
of respondent while the subsequent sections focus on substantive by Adams et al. [14] and Brooks et al. [15] findings that the owner
objectives of the study. of an informal enterprise takes on apprentices, usually for a fee, and
provides training in traditional skills over a period of three or more
Socio demographic characteristic of respondents years. In tandem with the frequency summation, it was deduced from
In Table 1 showed that large number of the respondents who are the interviews that apprenticeship training are the brainbox of any
apprentices, 61.7 percent had their secondary school not completed, developed economy and the economy cannot develop until we try as

Apprentices by level of education Master-craftsmen by level of education

Variable N % Variable N %
Primary school not completed 3 5 Primary school not completed 1 1.1
Primary school completed 7 11.7 Primary school completed 9 10
Secondary school not completed 37 61.7 Secondary school not completed 18 20
Secondary school completed 13 21.6 Secondary school completed 60 66.7
Total 60 100 Post-secondary 2 2.2
 -  -  - Total 90 100
Apprentices by Age Master-craftsmen by Age
Below 12 years 14 23.3 Below 29 years 22 24.4
13- 18 years 26 43.3 30-39 years 51 56.7
19- 24 years 13 21.7 40-49 years 10 11.1
25 years above 7 11.7 50 years and above 7 7.8
Total 60 100 Total 90 100
Table 1: Socio demographic characteristic of respondents.

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 6 of 8

Master-craftsmen opinion on relevance of apprentice to Nigeria economy Factor responsible for decline in apprenticeship development in Nigeria
Variable Frequency % Variable Frequency %
Very important 63 70 Lack of family support 7 11.7
Important 22 24.4 Low incentives 29 48.3
Not important 5 5.6 Non-implementation of 16 26.7
Total 90 100 self-employment policy by
Government
Master craftsmen evaluation of their apprentices to basic training
Interest in daily earning 8 13.3
Immediately on 10 11.1
jobs and laziness
resumption
Total 60 100
After three months 74 82.2
Personal consideration of apprentices about training
1-2 years 6 6.7
By chance 9 15
Total 90 100
Family influence 4 6.7
Years/months master-craftsmen use in evaluating their apprentices to
basic training Economic situation 25 41.6
1year 21 23.3 To earn money and 18 30
combine with schooling
2 years 30 33.3
Total 60 100
3 years 22 24.4
4 years 14 15.6 Table 3: Factors responsible for decline in apprenticeship development in Nigeria.
5 years 3 3.3
percent of Master craftsmen revealed that low incentives is the major
Total 90 100
factor responsible for decline interest in apprenticeship development
Table 2: Importance of apprenticeship training. in Nigeria with fewer number of respondents 11.7 percent revealed that
far as possible to encourage apprenticeship in the society. This is in lack of family support is the reason for decline interest in apprenticeship
tandem with Ariyo [13], that the informal economy is regarded as the development within the study area. In addition, higher number of
powerhouse of developing economies of the world. Its importance is the respondents 41.6 percent revealed that personal consideration of
based on the fact that it accounts for more than 80% of agricultural apprentices about training is determine by economic situation, with
employment and 95% of new jobs in these countries, including a vast fewer number of respondents 6.7 percent reported that it is determined
number of unemployed youths and young people that enter the labour by family influence.
market annually. This was revealed further from the excerpts thus: However, it was revealed by the findings that low incentives is
They are extremely important. We cannot value it. For economy the major reason for decline interest in apprenticeship development
of this country to develop we need a small scale enterprise and this in Nigeria, but other reasons like non-implementation of self-
small scale enterprise constitute major of those craftsmen/artisans. The employment policy by Government and Interest in daily earning jobs
economy cannot develop until we try as far as possible to encourage and laziness also contributed to the decline in apprenticeship. It also
apprenticeship (IDI, Female, 22years, Nursery school attendant, Lagere, showed that personal consideration about apprenticeship training was
Ife-East LGA). being determined by economic situation in Nigeria. In tandem with
the frequency summation, it was revealed from the interviews that
They are the brainbox of any economy and we cannot do without daily incentives which most youth got from okada riding and social
the craftsmen and our economy is growing today based on the effort value that is attached to apprenticeship in the society are some of
of these craftsmen are putting in and they are the major key player in the reasons for the decline interest in apprenticeship development in
the economy. Their services are very important (IDI, Male, 35years, Nigeria. This in line with the findings of Anyadike et al. [18] that gone
Businessman, Ilesha road, Ife-East LGA). are the days when a master auto-mechanic would have about three to
Essentially, the interviews showed that relevance of skills five apprentices under his tutelage. He stated further that while many
acquisitions depends mainly on what each individual learn and youths would sign up to learn a trade, a great majority of them quit
how they could translate grasps of skills into practical usefulness in apprenticeship and opt for motorcycle taxi business to start making
the society. It is affirmed that government laxity is not helping the money while some who remain to learn the trade do not stay long
development of youths despite the fact of contributing to the country enough to acquire the necessary skills. This could be further understood
economic development. This is conspicuously stated in the excerpts from the excerpts that:
below: It is because those that are riding okada are too many and they want
It depends on what each people learn and how they understand it. It daily incentives which they think apprenticeship cannot offer them (IDI,
is very important to the Nigeria economy in the person understand craft female, 71years, trader, modakeke ,Ife-East LGA).
very well (IDI, Male, 45years, Teacher, Okerewe, Ife-East LGA). Similarly, another interviewee accentuated more that:
It is very important to the Nigeria economy government is not Basically, the problems arise from the social values attached to
encourage the sector. I think it is art of one’s putting in his/her mentality apprenticeship in the country. People that engaged in apprenticeship in
and cannot develop until we try as far as possible to encouraged the country are not recognized, people looked down on them and there
apprenticeship (IDI, Male, 19years, Recharge-cards Seller, Modakeke, is no encouragement for them and secondly the economic factor, people
Ife-East LGA).
want to have a better life and they believed that the only way to get to
Factors responsible for decline in apprenticeship development the inner caucus, is to go to school (IDI, male, 22 years, students, lagere,
in Nigeria Ife-east LGA).

As shown from Table 3, larger number of respondents , 48.3 Specifically, the interviewees affirmed that decline of economy

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

Page 7 of 8

situation in Nigeria have shape the decision of most youths by shifting for those that go to school, there is no available job on ground and those
attention away from craftwork and skills knowledge. Quest for quick that involve in apprenticeship have their jobs and they have edge over
money among the youths which is influence by poverty rate have job security within the economy of the country (IDI, Female, 22years,
further compound the decline in apprenticeship among youths. This is Nursery school attendant, iremo, Ife-East LGA).
supported by Anyadike et al. [18] findings that general Nigerian value In contrast to the previous findings, it was affirmed from the
system which appears to have cultivated a new value system just like the interviewees that career prospect for youth in apprenticeship with the
lager society in their quest for making fast money as well as generally present situation in the country is not bright but affirmed that globally
living on the fast lane. This can be understood from the excerpts below: there is possibility of encountering success in the profession.
The present economy situation of Nigeria does not encourage people Talking about this present country, I did not think there is a career
to learn craftwork, also quest for education and physical appearance of prospect for youth in apprenticeship (IDI, Female, 45 years, trader,
people for a craft (IDI, Female 55years, Trader, Ojoyin, Ife-East LGA). Olohunshogo, Ife-East LGA).
It is because recently there is a shift in concentration from trade like On the global level, the apprentices have a career prospect for youths
tailor, mechanic, etc. And there is more concentration on education. but over here in Nigeria. I did not see apprenticeship as a career prospect
Even those that are not educated, what they want now is quick money. for the youths. Even those who are in the school, the so call universities,
So in summary it is because of the recent quest for education and because the government is not planning for them, let alone the apprentices (IDI,
of the fact that that poverty level is higher in Nigeria and people want Male, 22years, student, Okerewe, Ife-East LGA).
to earn money quickly which apprenticeship could not give them (IDI,
Male, 23years, bank cashier, Okerewe, Ife-East LGA). Conclusion and Recommendation
The Services rendered by Artisans to the Nigerian economy are
Career implication for youth engaging in apprenticeship in
extremely important and Nigerian economy cannot develop until
the study area apprenticeship which is the bedrock of skills acquisition is encouraged
Majority of the interviewees revealed that career implication for among youths. Engaging in Apprenticeship to acquire skills is more of
youth engaging in apprenticeship in Nigeria despite the decline will mental and creative skills development which is capable of breeding a
make such an individual be self-dependent without lack in means of large number of self-employed youths, who will in turn employ others
livelihood and due to the persistent unemployment problem in Nigeria, and also train them as well. It is worth noting that career prospects
individuals with crafts skill will determine the future and what happen in apprenticeship is possible for youths, which will empower them
in the country because it is a career with prospect. The is supported by financially, make them self-dependent, contribute to the nation’s
Adams et al. [14] that most apprenticeships are not a route into formal GDP and reduce the rate of idleness, youth restiveness, crime, drug
wage employment in large enterprises or public sector enterprises. addiction, unskilled population, etcetera, among the youths in Nigeria.
Rather, traditional apprenticeships are a route to self-employment or
Furthermore, against the backdrop of Nigeria’s ailing economy
employment in small, informal sector jobs. This was revealed from the
which may slide into recession if appropriate policy measures are not
excerpts thus:
implemented to cushion the effects of dwindling oil revenue, skills
There is a career prospect for youths that learn apprenticeship…if acquisition via apprenticeship is an important area the government
he/she knows the crafts, he will not lack anything or depend on anybody can channel resources to towards increasing the skills strength of its
(IDI, Female, 48years, Teacher, Lagere, Ife-East LGA). population. This will also act as a buffer to complement the efforts of
the government to diversify the economy as skilled population is vital
It is a major career prospect in the nearest future for any visionary, to diversification and economic growth. In the light of the aforesaid,
the rate of unemployment is growing at alarming speed and those that financial assistance and working equipment should be provided or
learn any crafts would determine what happen in Nigeria in near future( subsidized by governments and Non-governmental organizations for
IDI, Male, 35years, Self-employed, Oke-Ola, Ife-East LGA). Master-craftsmen who engage more apprentices for skill training in
Specifically, it was revealed from the interviews that with their workplace and youths who engage and completed skill acquisitions
apprenticeship training, rate of armed robbery in the country would training so as to make the scheme more important and attractive to the
be reduced as majority with the skills acquisition will be able to fend youths. Soft loans and other means of assisting apprentices should also
for themselves and would have edge over job security within the be made available to ensure that successful apprentices are gainfully
economy of the country. This was in line with Okorocha [12] that with established. Government should also embark on a campaign to
adequate skills and hands-on experience in various vocations, Nigerian sensitize the youths to engage more in apprenticeship.
graduates would be self-employed after leaving school while those Lastly government at all levels should engage the various
in school would find something doing even before completing their stakeholders in this regard to address the issue of unemployment
education. He said that this would save Nigerian youths the stress and situation among youths and discuss ways of harnessing apprenticeship
trauma of endless and fruitless search for paid employments in a highly scheme to curb the rising rate of unemployment among youths
saturated labour market. The interviewees accentuated further thus: courtesy of appropriate pragmatic skill acquisition policies towards
There is a career prospect for youths in apprenticeship……It would creating more employment for the youths and also adding to the
make them to be financially independent and it would reduce the rate of country’s GDP. This will also place the country on the right pedestal to
armed robbery in Nigeria and they would be able to cater for themselv actualize ‘Poverty Eradication’, which is one of the prime targets of the
esandtheirfamily(IDI,Male,21years,phonecallattendant,lagere, Ife-East UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
LGA).
Campaigns and other concerted efforts should be launched by
There is a career prospect for the youths in apprenticeship…..Even the concerned stakeholders to ensure that the attitude of the people

Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435
Citation: Fajobi TA, Olatujoye OO, Amusa OI, Adedoyin A (2017) Challenges of Apprenticeship Development and Youths Unemployment in Nigeria.
Social Crimonol 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2375-4435.1000172

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is changed so that apprentices are no longer used as providers 14. Adams AV, de Silva SJ, Razmara S (2013) Improving Skills Development in
the Informal Sector: Strategies for Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: World
of ridiculously cheap labour, they should be well coordinated as
Ban.
skilled labour providers and adequately appreciated in terms of
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Employment in Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, DC: World Bank.
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determinants and effects. Geneva, 2006.
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to Contemporary Work Practices in Modern Nigerian Communities. British
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Social Crimonol, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000172

ISSN: 2375-4435