ABSTRACT

 The study skills needed by the Home Economics graduates for self employment in Abia and mo States. The objectives of the study were: (1). To identify the skills acquired by has Home economics graduates on graduation (2). To examine some problems faced by Home economics graduates in establishing their own enterprise (3). To proffer so1e possible solutions for helping Home Economics graduates to become successful ë:ireprenes. The population for the study comprises 100 Home Economics (Final year Home Economics Students, Home Economics graduates and Home Economics Lectures). The Data was collected from to Universities, namely: Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State and Alvan lkokuFederal.ColIege of EducaPon Owerri, Imo State. Random Sampling techniques was used in selecting the Final 'ear students, graduates and the lecturers involved. The sample size were 63 students from Alvan, lkokti Federal College of Education (53 NCE final year students, 10 B.Ed final year students). In Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State are 25 B.Sc final year students and graduates, 10 with M.Sc and 2 with PhD, which is 100 in total). A validated questionnaire was used to collect relevant data. The data was collected using questionnaire and was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics (Mean, frequency and percentage). The results from thc findings proves that Home Economics Education equips its recipients Mth kno'.. edge, attitude, marketable and survival skills that make them self-employment and elf-reliance with mean score of (4.93). Also there are many small scale business oe.ortunities in Home Economics related fields including Food and Nutrition, Home rianagement and clothing and Texiles with mean score of (4.54). In Food and Nutrition, the En.treprenelJrship Opportunities include Food Wholesales and Retaicr Business, Meal Prepartion.' Service (Hotel and Restaurant Business) Bakery business, Food Procesing and. PreserMation, Catering Service (with 4.23 mean scorE;). In Home Management sectiontk EntreprbnCurship Business include Interior and cut Door. Decoration, Poultry 5usiness,50ap and Starch Making, Institutional House Keeper, Nu5rsery Education I Nanny Service (with 4.33 men score). In the Area o Clothing and Textiles, there are various skills which can be acuired in Garment conrtruction (sewing), tie dyeing and Batiking, laundry and Dry cIeaiing service, Textiles and Clothing Merchandise, Bridal shop, Toys and gift shops, cloth repairing, Pattern making, Textile produàtion (weaving), Knitting and crocheting making (with 4.66 mean score). The results from the findings identified some problems likely to be faced by Home Econoics graduates in establishing their own business enterprses like inadequate practical's in Home Economic w hinder the learner to develop lcgical and acquire the necessary skills needed to run successful entrepreneurship business, with the mean score of (4.16) Lack of entrepreneurship Education in Home Economics curriculum will hinder Home, Economics Students from acquiring the entrepreneurship skills for a successful entrepreneurship business', with mean socre of (4.29). Some Home Econorñics lectures lack the skills and knowledge in entrepreneurship field and will not be able to impact it to their students, with (4.68) mean score. Inadequate credit and loan facilities by the government to Home Economics' graduates hinder them from establishing their own business enterprise .with'(4.24) mean scree. However some suggestions were made in finding the solutions to the above problems by suggesting that universities should provide the needed support by providing fiends, facilities and equipment for successful practical in Home Economics Iaboraties with (4.53) mean score. Lecturers should be encouraged to update their knowledge by attending workshops, seminars, and conference that will enable them to be current and impact adequate' knowledge to their students (4.61) mear score. Student industrial work experience (SIWES) is neccessary• and must be priced by every Home Economics Student n a means of acquiring experience for future entrepreneurs.