Abstract:
This study aimed to investigate the practices, challenges, and prospects of transformational 
leadership in selected TVET colleges within the City Administration of Addis Ababa. The 
concurrent triangulation mixed design was employed to simultaneously collect both quantitative 
and qualitative data, and to merge the findings of the study. More classic TVET colleges namely 
Tegebare-Eid, General Winget, and Entoto were selected purposively by their generation, 
reputation, and standard given by the government. Datas were gathered using a questionnaire, 
key informant interview, and document review. The participants of the study were 9 deans,180 
trainers and 115 coordinators with total 304 have participated in this study. Study subjects were 
sampled using purposive sampling for leaders, stratified sampling for trainers and coordinators 
based on their experiences, and simple random sampling for both groups. The student researcher 
employed descriptive statistics for understanding the quantitative data regarding 
transformational leadership in TVET colleges. Furthermore, inferential statistics, including an 
independent sample t-test, were used to compare the means between trainers and coordinators. 
Also, qualitative data is analyzed thematically. The first finding of the study revealed that 
practices of transformational leadership in TVET colleges in terms of four dimensions of 
leadership are moderate. The second major finding of the study unfolds that lack of competency 
in transformational leadership, shortages of supplies, poor service, and incomplete facilities are 
major challenges that negatively affected the overall performance of the colleges. Moreover, 
Lack of focus, Disruption by routines, Misuse and abuse of power, Lack of skill to inspire others, 
Lack of respect for others, and Lack of Communication skills are also some of the challenges 
that disrupt the transformational leadership practices of TVET colleges at city administration of 
Addis Ababa. In conclusion, this study highlights moderate practices of transformational 
leadership in TVET colleges of Addis Ababa, with specific emphasis on areas such as Intellectual 
Stimulation, Individual Consideration, and Inspirational Motivation. Recommendations include 
providing leadership training and fostering positive relationships to address challenges and 
promote sustainable development within these institutions.