REVIVING IGBO APPRENTICESHIP CULTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Apprenticeship  is  a  system  by  which  a  person  learning  a  craft  or  trade  is instructed   by   a   master   for   a   set   of   time   under   a   set   condition.   The apprenticeship  culture  which  has  its  origin  traceable  to  the  pre-colonial  Igbo was  an  indigenous  effort  aimed  at  cushioning  the  adverse  effects  of  the  civil war  on  the  Igbo  people.  Under  this  system,  teenage  boys  stay  with  their  rich relations  or  neighbours  under  a  tutelage  arrangement  in  which  they  are exposed to the necessary rudiments and practice of a particular trade or craft. The  apprenticeship  arrangement,  which  may  not  necessarily  be  sealed  with any formal agreement, lasts between five years and ten years, after which the apprentice is settled by his mentor to start his own business or craft as the case may  be.  Apprenticeship  among  theIgbo  is  a  value  that  was  once  cherished, celebrated  and  encouraged  but  this  particular  value  system  amongst  others  is now  in  the  past.  This  research  is  poised  to  investigate  the  problem  that  has necessitated the loss of this culture among the Igbo with a view to re-evaluate the benefits accruable from it which in the view of the researcher is needed in the 21stcentury quest for sustainable development. This research adopted  the phenomenological method with a view to reviewing the benefits in the past as well as investigating the problems that have led to the loss of this culture. The paper recommends that in view of high rate of unemployment and the need for sustainable  development,  it  is  germane  to  revive  this  culture  through  value reorientation  among  theyouths;  most  especially  among  those  incapable  of affording higher education.