Published Article

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between entrepreneurship education and employability skills among Business Education students at the University of Delta, Agbor. The research aimed to determine how entrepreneurship education influences the acquisition of technical skills, the development of soft skills, and the enhancement of entrepreneurial competencies and self-employment intentions. A descriptive survey research design was adopted, and the entire population of 119 Business Education students from 200 to 400 levels was engaged using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using mean scores for research questions and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) for hypothesis testing at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that entrepreneurship education significantly enhances students’ technical abilities, including business planning, financial management, and market analysis. It also positively impacts soft skills such as communication, teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. Furthermore, entrepreneurship education was found to strengthen entrepreneurial competencies and self-employment intentions, fostering confidence, innovation, and a proactive mindset among students. Correlation analysis confirmed significant positive relationships between entrepreneurship education and all dimensions of employability skills, with R-values ranging from 0.721 to 0.781 (p < 0.05). The study concludes that entrepreneurship education is a crucial mechanism for bridging the gap between academic knowledge and practical workforce readiness. It empowers students to be employable, self-reliant, and entrepreneurial, thus contributing to personal development and national economic growth. The study recommends enhancing experiential learning, mentorship programmes, and institutional support to maximize the impact of entrepreneurship education on employability outcomes.