Factors Making Students to Shun Away from Vocational Training Programmes Despite Being Offered Cdf Bursary: A Case Study of Kasenengwa and Chipangali Constituencies

This study investigates the factors that discourage students from enrolling in vocational training programmes in rural Zambia, even when financial support is available through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) bursary scheme. Focusing on Kasenengwa and Chipangali Constituencies, the research aimed to assess youth awareness of vocational training, identify barriers to participation despite the bursary, and examine prevailing attitudes towards vocational skill acquisition. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study collected data from 40 youths (20 male, 20 female) using questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative insights provided contextual depth. The findings reveal a significant paradox: while 50% of youths are aware of vocational training opportunities, participation remains low due to a confluence of negative perceptions and structural barriers. Key factors identified include limited perceived career growth and promotion opportunities (80%), a lack of new and modern specializations (85%), and societal and familial attitudes that devalue vocational work in favor of academic "white-collar" professions. Furthermore, 70% of respondents held a negative attitude towards vocational training, largely influenced by the legacy of colonial-era associations with manual labor and contemporary concerns over job security and low wages. The study concludes that the CDF bursary alone is insufficient to overcome deep-seated socio-cultural biases and structural shortcomings within the vocational education and training (VET) sector. To enhance enrolment, the research recommends a multi-pronged strategy: integrating career guidance and counselling in training institutions to reshape perceptions; revitalising and diversifying VET curricula to align with labor market demands; and implementing policy interventions to improve the remuneration and status of vocational professions. These measures are essential to harness the potential of VET for youth empowerment and national development.