INFLUENCE OF SKILL ACQUISITION, CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP GROWTH INAWKA METROPOLIS

Abstract

Despite various policies and programmes by the government aimed at enhancing entrepreneurship growth through the development of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), the level of poverty and unemployment rate have remained high. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of skill acquisition, innovation and creativity on entrepreneurship growth in Awka Metropolis. The study employed survey research design. The population of the study was 139 registered tailors, carpenters and show makers in Awka Metropolis. The judgmental sampling technique was utilized to identify the sample of entire census population. Closed ended structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to test the reliability of instruments used. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The finding shows that skill acquisition and creativity positively and significantly influence entrepreneurship growth. The study also showed that innovation has no significant influence on entrepreneurship growth. The study recommended that the government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders should continue to promote skill acquisition, creativity and innovation to reduce joblessness as well as criminal activities in Awka Metropolis.