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National Employment Policies and Human Capital Development Initiatives as Drivers of Economic Growth: Evidence from Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Eleke, Ebimie Melbourne

Abstract

This study investigated the comparative effect of national employment policies and human capital development initiatives on economic growth in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Three specific dimensions were examined: the effect of skills acquisition programmes, youth empowerment schemes, and vocational training initiatives on the state's economic growth indicators. The study was grounded in Human Capital Theory and Endogenous Growth Theory, and employed a cross-sectional survey design. Primary data were obtained through a structured questionnaire administered to 248 civil servants, policy implementers, and development practitioners purposively and randomly selected across key government ministries, agencies, and parastatals in Bayelsa State. Simple linear regression was used to test the three research hypotheses. Findings revealed that skills acquisition programmes, youth empowerment schemes, and vocational training initiatives each exerted a significant positive effect on economic growth in Bayelsa State. The study concluded that the strategic alignment of national employment policies with subnational human capital development initiatives constitutes a viable pathway for accelerating inclusive economic growth in resource- dependent states. Recommendations were offered to policymakers and development administrators for strengthening institutional frameworks that connect workforce development outcomes to measurable economic growth targets.

Keywords

national employment policieshuman capital developmenteconomic growthskills acquisitionyouth empowermentvocational trainingBayelsa StateNigeria

References

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