STRENGTHENING TVET TO MEET INDUSTRY NEEDS IN THE CHANGING WORLD OF WORK: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING

Abstract: Any country's socioeconomic life is significantly impacted by Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Changes in industrial needs have been sparked by the rise of digitalization and technical advancements, such as automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI), which have defined the nature of labour markets and impacted socioeconomic life. This is a significant problem. Hence, TVET should be considered to meet the rapid global socio-economic change, need and requirements. Nigeria prioritizes TVET through well-structured and defined objectives as enshrined in the 2013 revised edition of National Policy on Education. Despite these lofty objectives and prospects of TVET in Nigeria, it is worrisome that it does not have recognition when compare to general education. Literature has unveiled various problems bedeviling TVET, including underfunding, poor curriculum design and implementation, shortage of manpower, poor teaching pedagogies and weak public-private partnerships. Counseling is considered a veritable tool as it can unlock, enable, direct and redirect inherent potentials, strengths and skills of individuals while considering the choice of technical and vocational skills among students and youths. These will make graduates of schools and youths employable and make them relevant to meet contemporary industry needs and changes. Thus, the current study will critically examine the status of TVET and the place of counseling in achieving TVET objectives in Nigeria. Also, the role of TVET counselling in helping to ensure that the skills and knowledge acquired through TVET are applicable and desired by employers in the changing world of work.