Mode of Communication and Employee Engagement in Technical Training Institutions in Kenya

Purpose: This study sought to determine the effect of the communication mode on employee engagement in technical training institutions in Kenya. Methodology: The study was conducted using survey research design. Study population was all the 3780 trainers in the 102 public technical training institutions in Kenya out of which a sample of 360 respondents was used. Stratified random sampling, random sampling and stratified proportionate random sampling technique design were employed. Data was collected using a questionnaire which had both closed and open- ended (Likert type scale 1-5) questions. Questionnaires were distributed to 360 respondents out of which 322 completed the questionnaires giving a response rate of 89.4%. Cronbach's alpha was used to test for internal reliability of each variable used in the study. Data analysis was done by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Logistic regression coefficients showed that communication mode influenced employee engagement and in a negative way. The effect therefore, was not statistically significant (β=-0.647, p=0.114). This implies that communication mode is not a significant predictor of employee engagement in technical training institutions in Kenya. Recommendations: The study recommends that technical training institutions should endeavor to embrace modern methods of communication. In an increased switch on world, the staff and the students rely on technology as their primary means of communication. Computers, smart phones and tablet devices are ubiquitous. It is imperative for technical training institutions to stop over relying on traditional methods such as notice boards, meetings and paper based newsletters like in the past years.