ISSN 2456-0235

International Journal of Modern Science and Technology

INDEXED IN 

​​​​​International Journal of Modern Science and Technology, Vol. 2, No. 7, 2017, Pages 256-261. 

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​Adoption Level of Government and Private Sector Support on Innovation in TVET Institutions in Kenya  

J. O. Abuto¹, O. Odek²
¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, ²Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, The Kisumu National Polytechnic, P.O BOX 143-40100; Kisumu. Kenya. 
​​​*Corresponding author’s e-mail: ochiengodek@gmail.com

​Abstract
Innovative technology is the cornerstone of any country’s prosperity, the primary source of economic competitiveness, job and wealth creation. It is also regarded as the prime mover of our daily lives. From the 19th century's advances in manufacturing and transportation to today's cutting-edge technology in biotechnology, space technology and computer science, the world major blue chip companies have continuously developed and deployed innovative technology in their processes to create wealth. Nobel Laureate Robert Solow’s classic 1956 economic model of productivity growth demonstrated that technological progress and innovation drove at least 80% of economic growth in the United States between 1909 and 1949, and innovation continues to be perhaps the most powerful engine of this prosperity to date. Today, the world is in economic crisis. There is tremendous unemployment of the youth especially in sub- Saharan African countries. The study sought to establish the adoption level of Government and private sector support on innovation in TVET institutions in Kenya. A cross sectional survey was done using structured questionnaires administered to lecturers and students of TVET institutions. The motivation of the study was based on the fact that in pursuit for elimination of unemployment there is strong need that innovation needed to be supported as a way of improved engagement for the youth and as a panacea to unemployment in Kenya. The research established the following; the government and private sector adoption level is low as 72% of the respondents a tested to the same. From the findings, 90% of the respondents stated that funding was a major hindrance to the commercialization of innovations. Finally the study sought to establish the challenges facing innovators in TVET institutions in Kenya. The following were sighted as challenges by the innovators; finance, marketing, dynamic technology, patenting and property rights, attitudes of the Kenyan buyer on “jua kali” products and finally machine tools to facilitate classic or near classic finish on the products. 

​​Keywords: Innovations; Seed money; Private sector support; TVET institutions.

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