Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate parents‟ and senior high school
(SHS) students‟ attitude towards VTE as a career choice in the Sekondi-
Takoradi Metropolis in the Western Region of Ghana. The sample for the
study was 337, made up of final year students in SHS in the Sekondi-Takoradi
Metropolis as well as 10 parents of students. The sample was selected using a
multistage sampling technique. Data was collected from the students using a
questionnaire whereas data was collected from the parents using an interview
guide. Quantitative data collected was analysed using descriptive and
inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed using thematic
analyses. The study revealed that most of the students were not willing to
enroll in VTE after their general secondary education. The study, revealed also
that, the students generally had positive views that TVET can make students
more employable. Further, the study revealed that all the parents viewed
vocational and technical education positively. However, some few parents did
not like the idea of their children pursuing VTE mainly because of the
perception of society about TVET. The results showed also that male students
had a better attitude towards vocational and technical education than female
students. It was recommended that the Ghana Education Service together with
Ministry of Education educate SHS students on the importance of TVET.
