INTEGRATING EXPERIENTIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION INTO TVET CURRICULA: A PATHWAY TO SUSTAINABLE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND INNOVATION

Abstract

Across many regions of the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, youth unemployment remains one of the most pressing socio-economic challenges. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become increasingly important as a pathway for workforce readiness. However, despite its promise, TVET often focuses on technical training while neglecting vital entrepreneurial competencies. This limitation poses a threat to the employability and economic viability of its graduates, who face saturated labour markets and limited formal job opportunities. This paper argues for the urgent need to reform TVET by integrating experiential entrepreneurship education, a practice-based approach that allows students to turn ideas into viable enterprises. Drawing upon recent studies and real-world practices in regions such as Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, this paper identifies the conceptual foundation, challenges, benefits, and strategies for embedding entrepreneurial learning into technical training. The research highlights the gap in current curricula and proposes evidence-based solutions that can contribute to sustainable youth employment and innovation-driven growth. By analysing successful models from vocational institutions and integrating frameworks like Action Design Learning (ADL), the paper provides practical guidance for educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers who aim to modernise TVET systems. It fills a critical research gap by focusing not only on the why of entrepreneurial education in TVET but also on the how, particularly in diverse and resource-limited educational environments.