Selected Entrepreneurship Skills Required by Youths in Clothing Production

Transcription

1 JHER Vol. 13, December, 2010, pp Selected Entrepreneurship Skills Required by Youths in Clothing Production Emelue, F. Department of Fashion Design and Clothing Technology Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Abstract This study identified entrepreneurship skills required by youths in clothing production. Four research questions guided the study. The population was made up of six thousand youths in the cities in the three Senatorial Zones of Delta State. The sample of the study was 200 youths selected from two out of three senatorial zones in the state using multi stage sampling technique. Questionnaire was used for data collection. The findings reveal that the youths in Delta State required entrepreneurship skills for planning, organizing, mass production, and marketing skills in clothing production enterprise. Three recommendation was made based on the finding. Introduction Entrepreneurship is the process of creating something new or different with value by devoting the necessary time, assuming the accompanying financial, psychic and social risks, and receiving the resulting rewards of most personal satisfaction (Ossai, 2008). It is the process of bringing together creative and innovative ideas and coping them with management and organizational skills in order to combine people, money and resources to meet an identified need and thereby creating wealth. According to Igbo (2006), entrepreneurship occurs when an individual develops a new According to Onuka and Olaitan (2007), successful entrepreneurship hinges upon the possession of a set of skills. A skill is venture, a new approach to an old business or idea or a unique way of giving the market place a product or service by using resources in a new way under conditions of risk. Entrepreneurial skills are the skills an individual needs to succeed in business. Clothing occupations can afford youths enormous entrepreneurial opportunities in Nigeria. Presently in Nigeria, there is a serious challenge of youth unemployment (Anyakoha, 2006). Equipping youths for self reliance through entrepreneurship is an effective way of addressing the challenges of unemployment and promoting economic survival (Mayoux, 2005). a well-established habit of performing task in a manner acceptable by workers in the profession (Okorie, 2000). JHER Vol. 13, December,

2 Entrepreneurship skills are skills needed to create, plan, establish and successfully run an enterprise using human and non-human resources. These skills, according to Onuoha (1991) are required for: Planning skills which involve devising methods or procedures for doing something. It entails designs, scheming. This demands the use of solving skills to determine existing problems, goals, to be attained and ways of reaching the goals (Thompson, 1998). Organizing this involve putting the plan into action. It can be an easy step for some people but a hard one for other (Joan, Eddye, 1994). Organizing involves arranging the activities within the plan in a logical sequence, for the purpose of reaching the goals. For instance, the entrepreneur acquire and arrange production resources already identified in the production plan in a logical sequence for implementation. Implementing is putting the plan into action. Implementation involves using the resources one has assembled, following the task list according to the schedule and monitoring the planned Clothing is one of the basic needs on man. It s needed for various reasons such as protecting the body, maintaining modesty and adornment. Clothing is an important area of personal satisfaction and source of social identification for every normal individual (Melits, 2000). No one can do without clothing, including these youths having the greatness demand of clothing. Entrepreneurial skills in clothing 210 JHER Vol. 13, December, 2010 activities and progress (Teresa, Maria, 2000). During implementing stage, the youth that has acquire entrepreneurial skill put into effect all the production activities. Youth according to the United Nations General Assembly (1993) is a period between childhood and adulthood. The age range may start from 15 years and may go up to 30 years in developing countries (Uzoagulu, 1997). The youthful period which is a very critical one that has been noted as an essential time for training in entrepreneurship provides a positive distractive and aggressive behaviours that are frequently associated with adolescents and growing up (Woolfolk, 1998). He youth need the ability to seek investment opportunities and establish an enterprise based on identified skills and opportunities. These skills when properly acquired by the youths, will prepare the individual to be productive, self employed, and create wealth. The youths are said to have acquired entrepreneurship skills in clothing production if able to carry out the planned activities expertly. production will engage the youths, reduce their restiveness, create jobs and empower the youth economically. According to Olaiton, Ali, Onyemachi and Nwachukwu (2000), these will also reduce poverty, rural-urban drift and other social vices that emanate from joblessness. In order to engage these youths will entrepreneurial skills in clothing a well equipped laboratories or workshops in

3 needed. This is usual one of the major problems which call for attention of the government in order to enhance entrepreneurship skills in clothing production. Emphasizing the importance of tools and equipment, Uzoagulu (1993) stated that tools and equipment must be utilized in order to give training and impart the required skills to people. In order to bridge the gap and provide entrepreneurship skills in clothing production which is lacking, it becomes imperative to identify clothing training packages that could be used to equip youths with skills needed. This need have informed this study. Purpose of the Study The main purpose of the study was to investigate entrepreneurship skills including clothing production that would empower youths economically. Specifically identified entrepreneurship skills required by youths for: 1. Planning clothing production enterprise. 2. Organizing clothing production enterprise. Population of the Study: The population of the study was made up of youths in the cities in three senatorial zones in Delta State. These youths are male and female between the ages of years and are drop out of school and are registered with employment agency (ies). The population of the youths in the context of this study is six thousand (information from the National Population Commission). 3. Mass producing clothing. 4. Marketing of finished products. Research Questions The following research questions were answered by the study. 1. What are the entrepreneurship skills required by youths for planning clothing production enterprise? 2. What are the entrepreneurship skills required by youths for organizing clothing production enterprise? 3. What entrepreneurship skills required by youths for mass production in clothing enterprise? 4. What are the entrepreneurship skills required by youths for marketing finished clothing products? Methodology Area of the Study: This study was carried out in Delta State. There are three senatorial zones in the state. The study focused on the youths in the State who are dropped out of schools and are restive due to lack of saleable skills. Sample of the Study: Multi-stage sampling technique was adopted in selecting the sample. First stage was the selection of two out of three senatorial zones in the state. Delta North and Delta Central were selected for the study. The second stage of the selection was random selection of 100 youths each from the two zones (Delta north and central). The total sample for the study was 200 youths. JHER Vol. 13, December,

4 Instrument for Data Collection: A structured questionnaire which was developed based on literature and research objectives was used to collect data for the study. The questionnaire developed had five point rating scale. It was face validated by 3 experts from College of Education Agbor and Delta State Polytechnic Ogwashi-Uku. A test retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument. Data Collection and Analysis Techniques: Two hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered and retrieved by hand. Data collected were analyzed using frequency and mean. Any option with score equal to or greater than 3.05 was accepted but any option with score less than 3.05 was not discarded. Findings of the Study: The following findings were made: A total of 10 planning skills. These are shown in Table 1 Ten skills for organizing. These are shown in Table 2 Ten skills for mass production. These are sown in Table 3. Ten marketing skills. These are shown in Table 4. Table 1: Responses on the entrepreneurship skills required by youths for clothing production enterprise. S/N Entrepreneurship skills for plan Means Remark 1. Set up clothing production enterprise Required 2. Specify the production system to adopt and produce the 3.96 Required plan. 3. Identify suitable location for clothing enterprise Required 4. Select appropriate equipment and tools for clothing production 4.06 Required 5. Identify clothing needs in the location 3.70 Required 6. Plan for credit facilities and other uncertainty needed for 4.02 Required clothing production. 7. Select qualified personnel for clothing enterprises Required 8. Identify markets for clothing products Required 9. Register the enterprise with regulatory bodies Required 10. Budget for the identified activities Required Table 1 reveals that the youths agreed to all the 10 required entrepreneurship skills identified for clothing production. All the items had means ratings above 3.5 this implies that all the items are entrepreneurship skills required by youths for clothing production enterprise. 212 JHER Vol. 13, December, 2010

5 Table 2: Responses of youths on entrepreneurship skills for organizing clothing production enterprise. S/N Entrepreneurship skills to organize clothing production. Means Remark 1. Employ competent staff for specific jobs in clothing enterprise Required 2. Provide staff with job description or posts Required 3. Procure good materials for finishes Required 4. Acquire and arrange equipment, tools and facilities for clothing 4.03 Required production in order to use. 5. Provide facilities for principles of garment manufacturing Required 6. Provide general operational procedures required for clothing 3.82 Required production. 7. Possess adequate skills in clothing production Required 8. Provide great patterns for mass production Required 9. Purchase good fabrics and notions Required 10. Provide for maintenance and management of sewing lab Required Table 2 reveals that all items listed were identified as entrepreneurship skills for organizing clothing production enterprise. All items had mean scores above 3.5 cut-off mark on a five point scale. Table 3: Responses on the entrepreneurship skills required by youths for mass production in clothing enterprise. S/N Entrepreneurship skills for mass production Means Remark 1. A perfectly fitty garment begins with accurate measurements Required 2. Know the body sizing Required 3. Acquire pattern grading technique used in producing pattern in 3.75 Required other sizes. 4. Standard size grading is far mass production Required 5. Individual size grading for the bespoke trade or custom-made Required 6. Place emphasis on operation specialization Required 7. Make use of operation engineering Required 8. Workers stick to areas of specialization Required 9. Worker are faced with daily insecurity as their employment is 4.02 Required determined by fashion trends and market fluctuation. 10. There are division of labour is mass production 3.65 Required Table 3 reveals that the youths agreed that all items above are entrepreneurship skill required for mass production in clothing enterprise. Research Question Four JHER Vol. 13, December,

6 What are the entrepreneurship skills required by the youths for marketing finished clothing products? Table 4: Responses on the entrepreneurship skills required by the youths for marketing finished clothing products. S/N Entrepreneurship skills required for marketing finished clothing Means Remark products 1. Analysis what customers are actually buying Required 2. Take notice of the styles, colours, fabrics etc that are in high 4.03 Required demand. 3. A new strategy known as data mining is being used to go far 3.58 Required beyond analyzing point-of-sale data to help producer 4. Because timing in fashion is of utmost importance, there is no real 3.61 Required place for wholesale, middlemen in the marketing of fashion goods. 5. The methods of introducing new fashions to buyers vary Required 6. Maintain selling staffs in showrooms Required 7. Use independent selling representative that maintain permanent 3.58 Required showrooms. 8. Use new technology to improve marketing Required 9. Remember customer right in the marketing Required 10. Consider more of fashion classic than fad and status symbol Required Table 4 reveals that the above entrepreneurship skills are required by the youths for marketing finished clothing products. The finding of the study showed that the youths in Delta State required entrepreneurship skills for planning clothing production enterprise. The skills include ability to identify suitable location, select appropriate equipment make budget and plan for credit facilities. These findings are in line with Dada (2007) that said, the entrepreneur must be an originator of business ideas. Gana (2001) is also in support that entrepreneurship is the ability to seek investment opportunities and 214 JHER Vol. 13, December, 2010 Discussion of the Findings establish an enterprise based on identified opportunities. It was also revealed that entrepreneurship skills are needed by the youths in organizing clothing production enterprise. These includes providing, employing, procurement, acquiring, arranging, operational procedures, possessing and purchasing materials, tools or equipment, staff etc needed for the enterprises. This is in line with Onu (2006) who sees the entrepreneurs as one who chooses or assumes risks, identifies, business

7 opportunity, gathers resources, initiates action and establishes an organization or enterprise to meet such demand or market opportunity. The following facts were also agreed by the youths as entrepreneurship skills needed for mass production in clothing enterprise: perfectly fitty garment, body sizing, pattern grading technique, standard size grading, individual size grading, operation specialization, operation engineering, insecurity for workers, market fluctuation and division of labour. In support for this, Kitty (2003) explained that there are some skills one need to get use to in mass production. Finally, some skills were adopted as means of marketing finished clothing products by the youths in clothing enterprise. These include: customers, fabrics in demand, new strategy, importance of trimming, new fashions, maintaining, selling staff, sales representative, customer right and kinds of fashion. Kitty (2003) is of the view that whether one is designing, producing or selling, the first step is to have a clear picture of the customer market. Oerke (1996) is of the view that the law of 1. Delta State government should provide facilities and adequate equipment for the teaching of clothing and textile. 2. The youth should be encouraged to acquire entrepreneurship skills required for fashion design and clothing technology. 3. Government should provide loan for youth after training. supply and demand applies to the ready-to-wear and producers should use quality fabrics and the best styles business. A good entrepreneurship skill in clothing production enterprise by the youth will make them confident, productive and good managers of clothing enterprise. According to Marshall, Jackson, Stanley, Kefgen and Touchie (2000), the fashion professional uses an understanding of the physical differences among consumers to better design and needs of customers. Conclusion The study has appraised entrepreneurship skills required for economic empowerment of youths in fashion design and clothing production in Delta State. Essential skills were agreed upon as reliant by the youths as entrepreneurship skills in clothing enterprise. The adoption of these skills will help improve the economic empowerment of the youths in clothing production enterprise. Recommendation From the finding of the study, the following recommendations were made. References Anyakoha, E.U. (2006). Practical Tips for Economic Empowerment and Survival. Nsukka: P Express. Dada, J. (2007). Enhancing Practicals in Home Economics Towards Self-reliance. Traditional Fabric Printing in Focus. Ewubare, M.U. (2007). Strategies for Economics Empowerment of Rural Women at the Household Level in Nigeria. Gana, J.S. (2001). Entrepreneurship. Kadada Jofegan Associates. JHER Vol. 13, December,

8 Igbo, C.A. (2006). Developing Entrepreneurship Education in Anyakoha, E.U. Entrepreneurship Education and Wealth Creation Strategies. Home Economics Research Association of Nigeria (HERAN). Joan, K.P. and Eddye (1994). Today s Teen. New York: Glecoe. McGraw-Hill. Kitty, G.D. (2003). Inside the Fashion Business. India: Barkha Nath Printers. Marshall, G., Jackson, O., Stanley, S., Kefgen, M. and Touchiespech (2000). Individuality in Clothing Selection and Personal Appearance. New Jersey. Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River. Mayoux, L. (2005). Poverty Elimination and Empowerment to Women. dfid. gov. Uk. Oerke, B.V. (1996). Dress. Illinois: Chaps, A. Benneth Co. Inc. Okorie, J.U. (2000). Developing Nigeria s Workforce. Calabar: Monky Environs. Olaitan, S.O., Ali, A., Onyemachi, G.A. & Nwachukwu, C. (2000). Poverty and Poverty Alleviation Initiative in Nigeria. Nsukka: Nigeria Education Research Association. Olakulohin, F.K. and Ojo, O.D. (2006). Distance Education as a Women Empowerment Strategy in Africa. anadolu edu tr/tojde 21/articles/felix.htm. Uzoagulu, A.E. (1997). Technology Exploration by Youths: A Diversionary Strategy for Conflict Resolution in the Home. Nigerian Education Journal, 1 1: Onu, W.C. (2006). Practical Trips to Successful Entrepreneurship in Anyakoha, E.U. (2006). Practical Trips for Economics Empowerment and Survival. HERAN. Onuka, A.U. and Olaitan, S.O. (2007). Entrepreneurship Skills Required for Economic Empowerment of Youths in Broiler Production. Journal of Home Economics Research of Nigeria, 8: Onuoha, B.C. (1991). Fundamental of Business and Management in Nigeria. Aba: Unique Press Ltd. Ossai, R.U. (2008). Strategies for Promoting Entrepreneurship Opportunities in Food and Nutrition. Home Economics Research Association of Nigeria (HRAN). Teresa, G. and Maria, M. (2000). Stay Fit in Fashion. Retrieved on May 6th 2007 from Annacris-maternity.com. Thompson, S.O. (1998. Planning Strategy. Ibadan: Ade Press Ltd. United National General Assembly (1993). Youth Policy and Resources Related to Rural Youth Programme. Rome: FAO Publications. Uzoagulu, A.E. (1993). Towards an Effective Equipment Management in School for Economic and Technological Self Reliance. Nigeria Vocational Journal, 6: Woolfolk, A. (1998). Educational Psychology; 7th Edition. New York: Allyut Baan. 216 JHER Vol. 13, December, 2010