ROLE OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN DEVELOPING STUDENTS LIFELONG LEARNING SELF-EFFICACY: VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION LECTURERS’ PERCEPTIONS

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the role of career development services in developing student’s lifelong learning self-efficacy as perceived by vocational and adult education lecturers. A survey design was employed for the research. A sample of 99 vocational and adult education lecturers from universities and colleges of education in Edo State participated in the research. A structured questionnaire, validated by two experts was used for the collection of data. The Cronbach alpha was used to determine the reliability of instrument, which yielded a coefficient value of .78. Thirty items questionnaire was administered to the respondents by the researchers, with the help of two trained research assistants. The data were analysed using mean, standard deviations and t-test statistics. The findings of the research showed that career development services have a role to play in developing student’s lifelong learning self-efficacy. It showed that there was no significant difference between the mean ratings of vocational and adult education lecturers on the role of career development services in developing student’s lifelong learning self-efficacy. These findings showed that vocational and adult education lecturers have the same perception on the role of career development services in developing student’s lifelong learning self-efficacy. It was therefore recommended, among others, that government through curriculum designers should integrate career development services into vocational and adult education programmes. This would help to instil confidence and positive attitude on students and working adults so that they can continuously learn new skills that would stimulate them for lifelong learning activities. Keywords: career development services, lifelong learning, work environment, student’s self-efficacy.