Occupational Information Knowledge Levels among Secondary School Students in Uganda

Abstract

Youth unemployment challenge remains a problem in Middle Income and Low-Income Countries (LICs) despite the existence of career guidance and counselling services in schools. A quasi-experiment was conducted in four major secondary schools in southwestern Uganda among students receiving advanced level education. A total of 89 students were enrolled into treatment group, and 72 in control group that were randomly selected. Treatment group received career guidance and counselling sensitisation based occupational information contained in National Occupational Information Coordinating Com- mittee (NOICC) competencies and indicators (1976). A checklist was modified from NOICC competencies and indicators and used to assess students’ occupational information knowledge. Results revealed no significant occupational information knowledge difference between treatment and control groups. However, occupational information knowledge gaps were detected in competencies for understanding the impact of growth and development, need for positive attitudes toward work and learning, and understanding how societal needs and functions influence the nature and structure of work; and understanding the interrelationship of life roles on career life decisions. Therefore, increasing occupational information sensitisation for students in schools focusing on current changing work demands and technology may improve career transition among students and reduce youth unemployment challenge being experienced globally.