TECHNICAL AND EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS REQUIRED BY METALWORK TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION GRADUATES OF TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN KWARA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study identified the technical and employability skills required by graduates of Metalwork Technology Education from tertiary institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design to elicit information from lecturers and master craftsmen in Metalwork Technology on the technical and employability skills required by Metalwork Technology Education graduates in tertiary institution in Kwara State, Nigeria. The population of the study consists of 12 lecturers in all the tertiary institutions offering Metalwork Technology Education and 56 registered master craftsmen in Metalwork Technology in the area of the study, making a total of 68 respondents for the study. The findings of the study revealed that graduates of Metalwork Technology Education from tertiary institutions in Kwara State require all the technical skills in basic machine processes and all the employability skills identified. Based on the findings, it is concluded that the acquisition of technical skills in basic machining processes and essential employability skills enhances the ability of metalwork technology education graduates to perform effectively in industry, achieve self-reliance, and contribute to organizational success. The study therefore recommended that tertiary institutions in Kwara State offering Metalwork Technology education should collaborate with Metalwork industries in order to train their students to the acquire the necessary technical skills in basic machining processes as well as employability skills for them to be employable and become self-reliant