Why Trainees Drop Out of Vocational Training Centres in Kenya: Focus on Community-Based Factors

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High dropout rates in many Vocational Training Centres (VTCs) in Kenya is a major issue of concern. This study was conducted to establish community-based factors that influenced dropout rates in VTCs in Kenya with focus on National Vocational Certificate of Education and Training (NVCET) curriculum. The study was conducted in four counties in Kenya, namely: Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi and Kakamega. Data was collected from five VTCs which had implemented the NVCET curriculum and were also Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) centres. This study utilized explanatory sequential mixed methods research design. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Survey data was collected first from 37 purposively selected instructors, 170 simple randomly selected second year, 9 purposively selected third year, and 3 conveniently selected 4^th year trainees. Interviews were organized with the four County Directors of Youth Training and five Vocational Training Centres Managers who were purposively selected to participate in the study since they were deemed to possess valuable information for this study due to their respective positions. Document analysis was also used to enrich data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The qualitative responses were thematically analyzed. The findings of this study revealed that there were few role models in the surrounding community, minimal moral and material support from the surrounding community and negative perception of the VTCs by the community. There were also cases of interference from the surrounding community on development projects. The study recommends the following; the community and the VTCs should do a follow-up of the trainees already completed VTCs and build a pool of role models, community sensitization on the need to support trainees morally and materially should be enhanced and introduction of psycho-social support programs to handle cases such as those of the orphaned children, among others.