Digital Skills Acquisition, Reskilling and Upskilling Needs among Vocational Education Teachers for Effective Training in the Future Workplace

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital technologies and workplace innovations has increased demand for continuous skills development among vocational education teachers to prepare learners effectively for the future workplace. This study examines the acquisition, reskilling, and upskilling needs of vocational education teachers to train learners effectively for the future workplace. Specifically, the study determines the required digital competencies, assesses teachers’ existing digital skills, identifies competency gaps, and examines the relevance of reskilling and upskilling programmes. The study population was 504, from which a sample of 220 was selected. 3 research questions guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, using a structured questionnaire titled “Digital Skill Needs Questionnaire (DSNQ”.to collect data from vocational education teachers in selected tertiary institutions. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and need gap analysis to determine disparities between existing and required digital competencies. Findings established that vocational education teachers have substantial reskilling and upskilling needs to better integrate digital technologies into teaching and learning. The study also recommended redesigning vocational education teachers' professional development frameworks to include digital competency standards.