International Journal of Mathematics and Statistics Studies Vol.2, No.5, pp.62-80, December 2014 Published by European Centre for Research Training and Development UK (www.eajournals.org) 62 ISSN 2053-2229 (Print), ISSN 2053-2210 (Online) MODELLING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE CAREER CHOICE OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL STUDENTS (A CASE STUDY OF TAKORADI AND HO POLYTECHNICS) Francis Ayiah-Mensah, Dr. Felix O. Mettle, John K. Coker Ayimah Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Takoradi Polytechnic, Ghana. Department of Statistics, University of Ghana, Ghana. Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Ho Polytechnic, Ghana. ABSTRACT: The study focused on modelling the factors that influence Polytechnic students’ career choice of technical and vocational courses. A stratified sampling technique was used to select a total of 430 students. The researcher developed factor analytically derived questionnaire. Items one to three dealt with the bio data of the respondents. Items four and five sought after the parental occupation of the respondents. Item six examined how the respondent’s career choice was influenced by close relations on a five point Likert scale and the last item on the questionnaire examined the level of importance attached to various factors influencing the career choice of technical and vocational students in the polytechnics on a seven point Likert scale. Multivariate factor analysis method was used in the analysis. The results showed that there are three salient factors that influence career choice of technical and vocational students in the Polytechnics. These were Job security factor, Gender and close family relations factor as well as Financial and societal influence factor. This results confirmed earlier researches that sought to investigate the factors that influence students’ choice in Technical and Vocational courses. It is therefore recommended that entrepreneurship mindset and independent decision should be emphasized in career counselling programs for Technical and Vocational students in their course selection. KEYWORDS: Technical and Vocational Education, Influence, Decision, Communalities, Salient factors. INTRODUCTION The technical and vocational education prepares an individual for self reliance. This type of educations is among the key essential tools an individual can use to develop him or herself as well as the community. It’s therefore provides educational training for useful employment in trade, agriculture, industries, homemaking and business etc. Basically, technical and vocational training or courses aimed at strengthening the skills base of an individual. Also, technical and vocational choices are a developmental process and length of time almost through an individual’s lifetime. The choices focus specifically on related issues to the work. Experiences got in variety of work situation will enhance one to prepare for transition to a work environment or training. A research conducted by Azubuike (2011) revealed that interest, gender, socio- economic status, the qualification of teachers/ instructors and guidance counsellors were the five major factors that influence students in the Technical and vocational school.