Title: Leveraging Digital Skills And AI For Entrepreneurship Innovation In TVET: Pathway To Wealth Creation
Authors: ABDULSALAM, Abdulmajeed Bidemi, Ekwueme-Duru Uchechukwu
Volume: 9
Issue: 12
Pages: 381-390
Publication Date: 2025/12/28
Abstract:
The swift evolution of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) is radically transforming the global landscape of employment, business formation, and necessary competencies. Amidst these shifts, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has become a vital mechanism for empowering individuals with practical, industry-aligned skills. These competencies are essential for driving entrepreneurial innovation and generating sustainable value. This article investigates the synergistic effects of embedding Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) tools specifically digital skills and AI into TVET frameworks. The analysis demonstrates how such integration bolsters entrepreneurial potential, sparks creativity, and fosters broader economic inclusivity. Furthermore, the study explores the ways in which proficiency in digital technologies enables TVET alumni to conceptualize novel products, services, and business models. These innovations address gaps in modern markets, particularly within technology-centric sectors and the informal economy. However, despite this promise, significant impediments remain. The research highlights systemic issues including poor technological infrastructure, a scarcity of digital resources, gaps in instructor preparedness, and disparities in access among different socio-economic demographics. These obstacles currently limit the effectiveness of TVET in a digital age. The paper asserts that without targeted policy changes and structural reforms, these barriers will erode the capacity of TVET to serve as an engine for wealth creation. In response, the study outlines a strategic roadmap for enhancing 4IR adoption within vocational training. Key recommendations include capital investment in connectivity and hardware, upskilling lecturers in emerging technologies, updating curricula to match 4IR demands, deepening ties with industry partners, and ensuring government backing for an inclusive digital transition. By framing digital skills and AI as essential drivers of entrepreneurial progress, this article adds to the conversation on how TVET can effectively drive employment, wealth generation, and socio-economic transformation in the modern era.