Assets owned and livelihood sustainability among self-employed vocational and non-vocational graduates in arusha and Dar es salaam cities, Tanzania

Abstract

Assets owned by self-employed graduates provide a basis for livelihoods sustainability and poverty reduction. However, access to such assets is a major challenge among majority of the graduates. Thus, this paper aimed to determine levels of such assets and compare assets owned and their contribution to livelihoods sustainability attainment between vocational (VET) and non-vocational (Non-VET) graduates. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 384 respondents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, a livelihoods asset ownership index and a Mann-Whitney U-test, while qualitative data were analysed through constant comparison content analysis approach. Findings showed that both categories of graduates had low assets ownership level. Mann-Whitney U-test results indicated insignificant difference in assets ownership between the two groups. Provided that there are many graduates with lower levels livelihoods assets, it suggests that these graduates are not able to sustain their livelihoods due to limited assets. It is further concluded that both categories of graduates have narrow chances to make positive and sustainable livelihood outcomes to graduates. It is recommended that self employed graduates with low assets level should consider diversifying their livelihood activities so as to improve their livelihoods assets levels. This can be done by formation of self-help microfinance institutions such as Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies from which they can access credit for financing acquisition of livelihoods assets. It is further recommended that graduates should leverage their strength on human capital and physical capital to improve other types of capital ownership. This is expected to promote productive self-employment activities for better sustainable livelihoods outcomes. They should also consider accessing available government and other local financing schemes for livelihoods assets acquisition. At the policy level, there is a need for the government authorities to enact youth-friendly policies on employment, finance, and training to emphasise entrepreneurship so as to open wide opportunities from which an increasing number of graduates could make a choice.