Conceptual model for technical and employability skills of Nigerian mechanical engineering trades programme

Abstract

Vocational and Technical education is designed to produce competent craftsmen, semi-skilled workers and sub-professionals for various sectors of the economy. Upon graduation, graduates are expected to be secure a job either in the labor market or self-employed. However industries and employers are constantly complaining about the quality of these graduates in terms of employability and technical skills. In addition, these graduates are lack of technical competencies to be self-employed. Therefore, this study evaluated the technical and employability skills of a Mechanical Engineering Trades (METs) program at technical colleges in the North Central States, Nigeria. Specifically, this study identified the teaching method which influence the acquisition of technical and employability skills METs students and determined the suitability of infrastructural facilities. A mixed method research design which utilized structured questionnaire, interview protocol, observation and document analysis was used. 444 respondents comprising of 267 METs students, 99 METs teachers, 46 administrators and 32 workshop instructors were participated in the study. Data were analyzes using SPSS software version 20 and Analysis of Moment of Structure (AMOS) version 18 to analyze quantitative data whereas qualitative data were analyzed using transcription, coding and categorization procedures. The findings of this study revealed that the teaching methods employed by METs teachers were mostly lectures and demonstration. The METS students‘ competency levels with regards to technical and employability skills are at moderate level. The findings of the study also listed some of the challenges faced by the teacher including lack of adequate provision of instructional materials, no standard workshops for teaching and learning of METs in most technical colleges, teachers are not encouraged to attend seminars and workshops to update their knowledge. The findings also indicated that the teaching methods which greatly influence the acquisition of technical and employability skills are work based learning, field trip, discussion based on tutorial learning project and seminar, demonstration and discussion. This study also found that that most of the facilities in the colleges are in a state of disrepair. Based on these findings, it is recommended that the government, industries and other non-governmental organizations should provide financial assistance for the technical college programs especially METs. Besides that, these colleges should have collaborations with industries. A significant contribution of this study is the development of a conceptual model for an effective implementation of METs program for technical colleges in Nigeria.