Title: QUALITY APPRENTICESHIP IN PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION FOR ENHANCING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES OF YOUTH IN AWGU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ENUGU STATE NIGERIA.

Authors:
Egbo, B.N., Aneke, C.U. & Nwankwo, C.U.

Abstract: Abstract The study was carried out to determine the activities of trainers and trainees in quality apprenticeship system of pineapple production for enhancing employment opportunities of youth in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Two research questions and two null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted survey research design and was carried out in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. The population for the study was 167 made up of 46 youths, 40 extension agents and 81 farmers from which 121 were studied. Two sets of structured questionnaire with 40 (set A 29 and B 11) items developed from the literature received for the study were used for collecting data. Each item in the questionnaire was assigned a four response options for Highly Required (HR), Averagely Required (AR), slightly Required (SR) and Not Required (NR) with values of 4, 3, 2 and 1 respectively. The structured questionnaire items were face-validated by three experts while Cronbach alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency of the items and an average coefficient of 0.80 was obtained (0.87 and 0.73 for 1 & 2 respectively). The questionnaire was administered on 121 respondents (81 farmers and 40 extension agents) with the help of five assistants. Out of 121 copies of questionnaire administered, 120 (80 farmers & 40 extension agents) copies were retrieved and analyzed weighted means was used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at the probability of .05 and 28 degrees of freedom. The study found out that 40 (29 for trainers and 11 for trainees) items were activities identified by the study of required for quality apprenticeship system. It was recommended that the identified 40 items be utilized by trainers and trainees for quality apprenticeship system in pineapple production in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Keywords: Apprenticeship, Pineapple, Improvement, Suckers, Crown, Slip

Publication Date: 2018-12-06