A Qualitative Efficiency Approach to Internal Efficiency in TVET Construction Engineering Programmes.

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Title:	A Qualitative Efficiency Approach to Internal Efficiency in TVET Construction Engineering Programmes.
Authors:	Mutumbwa, Abia, Chinengundu, Tawanda
Source:	International Journal of Vocational Education & Training. Summer2026, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p9-23. 15p.
Subject Terms:	Outcome-based education, Mixed methods research, *Vocational schools, Organizational effectiveness
Geographic Terms:	Zimbabwe, Africa, Harare (Zimbabwe)
Abstract:	Research across Sub-Saharan Africa indicates a gap between certification and actual graduate competencies. However, internal efficiency in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is still measured using traditional metrics such as graduation rates and coefficients of internal efficiency, which focus exclusively on the quantitative aspects of students' throughput and do not account for competency attainment. This shows a gap in the measurement of internal efficiency in TVET. The purpose of this study was therefore to address this gap by introducing and empirically testing the concept of Qualitative Efficiency as a complementary measure of internal efficiency in TVET. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to investigate internal efficiency in Carpentry and Joinery, Wood Technology, and Building Technology programmes in three public TVET institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. Quantitative data were collected from 161 students and 22 lecturers and integrated with qualitative data from interviews with three Heads of Department and seven Lecturers-in-Charge. Results revealed a paradox where all programmes exhibited high quantitative internal efficiency, yet students displayed deficits in modern competencies such as AutoCAD and CNC operation, which were located in the Critical Failure quadrant of the proposed Strategic Competency--Efficiency Matrix, while traditional craft skills remained in the Efficiency Zone. The study concluded that when quantitative metrics are used alone, they provide a misleading picture of TVET internal efficiency. The study therefore proposed integrating competency attainment auditing as a Fourth I (Indicate) within the UNESCO-UNEVOC BILT framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
	Copyright of International Journal of Vocational Education & Training is the property of International Vocational Education & Training Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Research across Sub-Saharan Africa indicates a gap between certification and actual graduate competencies. However, internal efficiency in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is still measured using traditional metrics such as graduation rates and coefficients of internal efficiency, which focus exclusively on the quantitative aspects of students' throughput and do not account for competency attainment. This shows a gap in the measurement of internal efficiency in TVET. The purpose of this study was therefore to address this gap by introducing and empirically testing the concept of Qualitative Efficiency as a complementary measure of internal efficiency in TVET. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to investigate internal efficiency in Carpentry and Joinery, Wood Technology, and Building Technology programmes in three public TVET institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. Quantitative data were collected from 161 students and 22 lecturers and integrated with qualitative data from interviews with three Heads of Department and seven Lecturers-in-Charge. Results revealed a paradox where all programmes exhibited high quantitative internal efficiency, yet students displayed deficits in modern competencies such as AutoCAD and CNC operation, which were located in the Critical Failure quadrant of the proposed Strategic Competency--Efficiency Matrix, while traditional craft skills remained in the Efficiency Zone. The study concluded that when quantitative metrics are used alone, they provide a misleading picture of TVET internal efficiency. The study therefore proposed integrating competency attainment auditing as a Fourth I (Indicate) within the UNESCO-UNEVOC BILT framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10752455