Enhancing technical and vocational knowledge and skills of adult learners in Ghanaian universities

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of adult learners of the factors that enhance their vocational knowledge and skills in engineering programmes in Ghanaian universities. Using focus-group discussion, we gathered data from adult learners enrolled in telecommunications and electrical engineering programmes in three universities in Ghana. The results show that the technical and vocational knowledge and skills of adult learners are enhanced by an effective pedagogical approach, the application of advanced technology in the teaching and learning process, the development of practice-based experiences and the application of new knowledge to the work environment. The study highlights adult learners’ identification of inadequate teaching and learning resources and weak pedagogical approaches in delivering telecommunications and electrical engineering courses as major challenges to the development of the vocational and technical knowledge and skills of adult learners.