A Survey of the Effects of Technical- Vocational Education (during Years 2000-2004) on Staffs' Professional Skills the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad

The goal followed in this study was to determine the impact of in Technical- Vocational Education course participation (during years 2000-04) of the Ministry of Agricultural Jihad's staff members on their professional efficacy. Research method was a descriptive-correlational one and data gathering done through researcher-made questionnaire. The validity (based on expert opinion) as well as reliability (Cronbach's Alpha coefficient=92/20%) were established, following the design and preparation of the questionnaire. The research statistical population included 120 individuals of Jihad-e Agriculture Staff who participated in the relevant course in the Technical- Vocational Institute, all of whom were then selected and questionnaires sent to them to be filled up. One hundred and two filled questionnaires were later received back and analyzed. Based upon the rated mean results, and taking into consideration all aspects, it can be atated that all the training courses offered have had a positive role in any aspect of the participants' efficacy component at an optimal level. Factor analysis indicated four factors regarding Technical- Vocational education, namely: teaching skills of the instructors, establishment of connection between education and practical work, enhancement of creative faculty and self learning in staff reinforcement of thinking, and participation with nearly 74% of variance, as features of the program. Regression results revealed the variables effective in efficacy enhancement as: encouragement of creative thinking; improving the faculty of analysis of the trainees; establishment of proper relationships between teachers and trainees; employment of the latest inventions and innovations; improving the faculty of problem solving in trainees; and finally the instructors' skills in proper transfer of knowledge.