INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF ENTREPRENEURIAL EDUCATION ON YOUTH EMPLOYABILITY IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Successive administrations over the past three decades have declared the intention to diversify and expand the Cameroonian economy, while also creating a significant number of jobs for the growing youth population. However, the issue of unemployment remains a significant obstacle for the Cameroon state. Undoubtedly, Cameroon has been struggling with a persistently high rate of unemployment for the past three decades.

Entrepreneurship has been acknowledged as a significant remedy for several economic, social, and environmental concerns. It has been and will continue to be one of the primary catalysts for global economic growth and sustainability. Entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in driving economic progress. According to Colbert & Ugo, (2019), entrepreneurship refers to the ability and readiness to develop, structure, and oversee a business endeavour, while assuming all associated risks, with the goal of generating a financial gain. Entrepreneurship refers to the process of establishing and expanding a firm in order to generate profits (Nicole, 2018). It is the capacity and enthusiasm to establish, coordinate, and operate a commercial endeavour, despite the associated risks, with the aim of generating a profit (Riita, Eric, and Henning, 2022). Additionally, entrepreneurship is the act of generating a novel and valuable entity via the investment of time and effort, while also taking on the associated financial, psychological, and social risks, with the expectation of reaping monetary rewards, personal fulfilment, and autonomy. 

Cameroon, similar to many other developing countries, has a multitude of challenges including poverty, unemployment, ethno-religious conflicts, and diseases, among others (Chukwu, 2022). These circumstances present significant obstacles to the survival of individuals in many developing countries, necessitating the education and training of capable men and women who can effectively contribute to their respective societies. Although entrepreneurship education is mandatory at Cameroonian institutions, a significant number of graduates continue to experience prolonged unemployment following graduation. According to Suleiman (2010), entrepreneurship education aims to equip individuals, especially young people, with the skills and mindset needed to become responsible and enterprising entrepreneurs or entrepreneurial thinkers. This is only achieved by providing them with real-life learning experiences that involve taking risks, managing outcomes, and learning from the results. 

Furthermore, entrepreneurship studies involve instructing individuals on the possibility of either pursuing or establishing a profession. This will empower individuals to become self-employed, freeing them from dependence on government or other employers. Frequently, it simultaneously generates employment opportunities for others. These studies also offer training opportunities for individuals, including both adults and students, through workshops, lectures, and conferences. These programs aim to provide participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to start and effectively manage their own firms. In the same view, entrepreneurship education in Cameroon aims to provide students in tertiary institutions with the necessary knowledge, skills, and drive to foster entrepreneurial success in various businesses. Although this education is available at all educational levels in Cameroon, including basic and secondary schools as well as graduate university programs. It is a process of continuous learning that lasts throughout one's life. Moreover, the notion of continuous learning is crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the knowledge-based economy. This concept is applicable to every level of education and training and encompasses all stages of life, as well as various types of apprenticeship. (Ojeifo, 2019). The advantages and favourable impacts of entrepreneurial education among young people should not be underestimated. Any government that neglects to prioritise fostering entrepreneurial skills among its youth, regardless of their area of expertise, has failed to strategise and is destined for failure. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance the calibre of entrepreneurship education in Cameroon as a whole. 

Statement of the Problem

In the 21st century, youth unemployment has emerged as the most significant developmental obstacle in nearly every country worldwide. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that there are 60 million young individuals who are actively seeking employment but are unable to secure any. Globally, the youth unemployment rate is approximately three times higher than the adult unemployment rate. The majority of unemployed young individuals, over 80%, are in emerging nations and economies in transition. Youth unemployment in developing countries worldwide is increasing by about 15 percent per year. Numerous nations are currently facing challenges in enhancing their economic growth in order to generate employment opportunities for the increasing number of young individuals entering the labour market annually (ILO, 2018). Given this, there has been limited study conducted on the impact of entrepreneurship education on youth employability. Researchers have discovered that entrepreneurial education courses are available at all tertiary institutions. However, the impact of the knowledge gained from these courses on students' employability has been insufficient. Hence, it is in the light of these, the study seeks to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial education on youth employability in Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of entrepreneurial education on youth employability in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Examine whether entrepreneurial education programs are offered in secondary and tertiary institutions in Cameroon.

Evaluate the extent to which entrepreneurial education influences the employability of youths in Cameroon.

Identify the challenges faced by institutions in delivering effective entrepreneurial education in Cameroon.

Propose strategies for improving entrepreneurial education to enhance youth employability in Cameroon.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

Are entrepreneurial education programs offered in secondary and tertiary institutions in Cameroon?

To what extent does entrepreneurial education influence the employability of youths in Cameroon?

What challenges do institutions face in delivering effective entrepreneurial education in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: Entrepreneurial education has no significant impact on youth employability in Cameroon.

Ha: Entrepreneurial education has a significant impact on youth employability in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The findings will offer policymakers and educational institutions valuable insights into the efficacy of existing entrepreneurial education initiatives in improving the employability of youths. Moreover, this study will provide valuable insights for NGOs and organisations engaged in youth development by presenting empirically-supported tactics to enhance their training initiatives and tailor them to the unique requirements of Cameroonian adolescents. The study will also emphasise the need of entrepreneurial education for young people, not only for finding jobs but also for creating job chances. This will help to decrease the significant rates of unemployment and underemployment in the country.Furthermore, subsequent researchers will use it as a literature review. This means that other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review. Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regard to the impact of entrepreneurial education on youth employability in Cameroon.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the impact of entrepreneurial education on youth employability in Cameroon. Empirically, the study will examine whether entrepreneurial education programs are offered in secondary and tertiary institutions, evaluate the extent to which entrepreneurial education influences the employability of youths, identify the challenges faced by institutions in delivering effective entrepreneurial education and propose strategies for improving entrepreneurial education to enhance youth employability in Cameroon.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to youths in Douala, Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Entrepreneurial Education: Educational programs and training that focus on developing entrepreneurial skills, knowledge, and mindset.

Youth Employability: The ability of young people to secure and maintain employment, particularly in the context of the job market.