EMERGING SKILL NEEDS IN MOTOR VEHICLE STEERING AND BRAKING SYSTEMS: IMPLICATION FOR CURRICULUM IMPROVEMENT AND JOB CREATION FOR TECHNICAL COLLEGE GRADUATES IN KANO AND KADUNA STATES

Abstract

The study examined the Emerging Skill needs in Motor Vehicle Steering and Braking Systems: Implication for Curriculum Improvement and Job Creation for Technical College Graduates in Kano and Kaduna States. It was carried out in Technical Colleges and Automobile manufacturing Companies in Kano and Kaduna States. One hundred and sixty seven respondents made up of 26 Automobile Engineers, 97 Graduates of Technical College Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Programmes and 44 Technical College Motor Vehicle Mechanics Work Teachers formed the population used for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted to carry out the study. Two research questions and one hypothesis were formulated to guide the study. 20 items structured questionnaire was developed based on 5-point rating scale. The instrument was face validated by two specialists from Technology Education Department Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola. Hypothesis was tested using statistical tools Analysis of Variance. The hypothesis was tested at 0.05 level of significance and were analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The study revealed that the Emerging Skill needs identified in Motor Vehicle Steering and Braking Systems are required for Job Creation. Specifically, the graduates need to access live data from the sensors of the operative systems of Steering and Braking Systems as well as the data from Electronic Control Unit. Resetting or replacement of factory fitted parts, for example, resetting of steering position sender or steering alignment for use with a new electromechanical power steering. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended that educational curriculum needs to be reviewed to ensure that education received by students is relevant.