Conference Paper

Impact of TVET Reforms on Youth Employment in Post-Pandemic Nigeria: An Empirical Analysis

This study examines the transformative impact of post-pandemic Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms on youth employment trajectories in Ogun State, Nigeria. While the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward a digital economy, the efficacy of institutional responses in bridging the subsequent education-to-work gap remains an urgent area of inquiry. Anchored on Human Capital Theory and the Systems Theory of Vocational Education, the research utilizes a cross-sectional dataset from 384 respondents (aged 18–35). The analysis employs Binary Logistic Regression and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to isolate the influence of digital skills acquisition, entrepreneurship training, and public-private partnerships (PPPs) on employment outcomes. Empirical results reveal that all three reform dimensions serve as potent predictors of employability. Logistic regression analysis indicates that digital skills training exerts the most significant influence (β1 = 0.984, p < 0.01), making participants nearly three times more likely to secure employment (2.676). Furthermore, entrepreneurship training (β2 = 0.811, p < 0.01) and PPPs (β3= 0.694, p < 0.05) significantly enhanced self-employment potential and curriculum relevance. These findings validate the "Skill-Logic" assertion that institutional synergy and targeted upskilling yield measurable gains in a volatile post-pandemic labour market. The study fills a critical empirical void by demonstrating that post-pandemic recovery is linked to high-fidelity technical literacy. The results advocate for a shift toward institutionalized entrepreneurship ecosystems and structured PPP mechanisms, offering a replicable framework for scaling youth employment initiatives in developing economies. Keywords: COVID-19, digital skills, entrepreneurship training, TVET, youth employment.