Authors: Mwango Hellen Josephine
Abstract: This study investigates how vocational training programs influence the social integration of learners in Luapula Province, Zambia. In regions where formal academic structures often fail to address real-world skills, vocational training emerges as a strategic tool for both personal and community development. The purpose of the research was to assess how such programs affect learners' social behavior, confidence, community interaction, and employability. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study collected data from selected schools offering vocational training, involving teachers, students, and parents through interviews and questionnaires. The findings reveal that learners in vocational programs display higher levels of social engagement, reduced dropout rates, and improved interpersonal relationships. Moreover, the skills gained provide them with a sense of identity and purpose. However, the study also identified challenges including lack of trained instructors, inadequate equipment, and low community sensitization. The study concludes that vocational training plays a pivotal role in social integration and recommends that more resources be directed toward developing vocational infrastructure and community awareness.
