Perceptions on Youth Employability and Entrepreneurship in Zambia: A Case of Kwame Nkrumah University.

Abstract

The main purpose of this study was to establish the perception of students pertaining employability and entrepreneurship. This research took a qualitative approach. The population for the study involved a total number of thirty students from Kwame Nkrumah University who provided complete information regarding the study. A phenomenological research study design was used. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. An interview guide and a focus group discussion was used to collect data. The main findings were that the perception regards entrepreneurship is generally positive though, entrepreneurship on the other hand is perceived as risky and requires significant capital investment which may deter some youths from pursuing it. Further, the study revealed that, youths lack access to education and training and generally limited job opportunities because the formal job market in Zambia cannot cater for all the youths. Based on these findings, this study recommends that, the stakeholders should make the business environment more favorable for business growth, and also devise a flexible education system that will be inclusive in terms of accessibility and will enforce the skill for employability and productivity among the youths.