An evaluation of Kenyan university fashion and Apparel design undergraduate degree programs in Skill training for the apparel industry
Abstract/ Overview
Worldwide, the evaluation of higher education fashion design programs and the
integration of skills for the apparel industry have been recommended. The Kenyan
fashion and apparel (FA) industry faced competition in world apparel trade due to
inadequate design skills. Kenyan universities have not adequately catered for the human
resource needs of the industry hence this study evaluated the relevance of Kenyan
university undergraduate fashion and apparel design programs (UUGFADPs) in
meeting manpower needs of FA industry. Specific objectives were to assess the
relevance of contents of UUGF ADPs, determine challenges faced in training, establish
the training needs of university fashion and apparel design graduates (UFADGs) and
identify the contribution of UUGF ADPs towards manpower development for FA
industry. The study used a conceptual framework based on ideas of systems theory.
Descriptive survey design was used to collect data at Kenyatta, Maseno, Egerton,
University of Eldoret (UoE), University of Eastern Africa-Baraton (UEAB) and FAD
firms in Nairobi; Nakuru, Mombasa, Athi River, Eldoret and Kisumu. The target
population was Kenyan university departments offering UUGF ADPs. Purposive
sampling was used to select 5 UFAD departments and 99 UFAD students; saturated
sampling to select 26 UFAD staff and snowball sampling to select 54 UFADGs and 24
employers. Data collection methods were questionnaires, in-depth oral interviews,
document analysis and observation. Qualitative data were coded according to patterns
and themes and presented descriptively. Quantitative data was analyzed and
summarized using descriptive statistics then presented on tables, pie charts and
histograms. Findings indicate that Kenyan UUGF ADPs offered training which gave
basic knowledge and skills through curricula covering textile fibres, apparel design,
pattern creation and apparel construction as common in all the UFAD departments'
curricular and an industrial attachment featuring once for most departments. FA
industry was less involved in UUGF ADP curriculum development. Major challenges
were: inadequate materials and equipment; less practical and industrial exposure;
inappropriate teaching methods; few qualified staff and irrelevant courses. The
UFADGs lacked specialization, had little practical experience and industrial exposure.
The UUGFADPs contributed to FA industry through research, training for various roles,
job creation and community development. It was concluded that due to less involvement
of FA industry in curriculum development, the UUGFADP training was not relevant
enough to FA industry. For UUGFADPs to give adequate training, challenges on
learning materials, equipment and teaching activities, staffmg, industrial exposure,
relevance of curriculum, university-industry linkages and university administration
support should be addressed by the stakeholders in UUGFADPs.