Development of blended learning among wedding professionals for enhanced creativity skills in apprenticeships in Uganda

Abstract

The global wedding industry is likely to reach up to $414 billion in 2030 (Wells, 2023). The wedding industry is an important part of the creative economy and continues to grow globally and in Uganda. Traditional on-the-job training is the main way employees in the wedding industry learn. AS much as the training heavily depends on practical training where learners watch, practice, and learn directly from experienced workers they are limited in structured learning, feedback and guided reflection opportunities necessary for creativity development. This study aimed to design and evaluate a blended learning approach to enhance creativity among wedding industry professionals. Guided by a Design-Based Research (DBR) methodology and informed by the ADDIE model, the Community of Inquiry framework, and the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach that is Quantitative and qualitative. Data were collected from 52 wedding industry employees and 13 employees through questionnaires and from six key informants using interviews. Key challenges encountered included limited time for training, lack of systematic structure, inadequate resources, and insufficient opportunities to practice creativity. Key challenging aspects of creativity to learn through traditional OJT and apprenticeship are applying creative solutions, generating creative ideas, encouraging creative teams and evaluation of creativity solutions. Based on the results, a blended learning course was developed and was tested on 16 employees. The pictures and the videos helped the learners as it helped in the knowledge retention and the learners felt engaged. According to the pilot's findings, learner collaboration, self-directed learning, and task execution creativity all significantly improved. The study concludes that a contextually designed blended learning approach can effectively improve creativity skills in the wedding industry and offers practical guidance for strengthening vocational training and professional development in Uganda.