Mechanical Trade Skills Required for Job Security in Industries by Graduates of Technical Colleges in Rivers State

Abstract

The study focused on mechanical trade skills required for job security in industries by graduates of technical colleges 
in Rivers State. Three research questions and hypotheses guided the study. The research design adopted for this study 
was descriptive design. The study was carried out in Rivers State Nigeria. The population of the study consisted of 78 
respondents comprising 47 mechanical teachers and 31 instructors in the four Government Technical Colleges. The 
instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “mechanical trade skills Questionnaire (MCSQ)”. 
The instrument was subjected to face and content validity by three experts and the instrument had 0.82 reliability 
coefficient. The findings of the study revealed that filing and finishing skills are required for job security in industries 
by graduates of technical colleges in Rivers State. The finding of the study revealed that turning skills are required for 
job security in industries by graduates of technical colleges in Rivers State. The finding of the study revealed that 
facing skills are required for job security in industries by graduates of technical colleges in Rivers State. The following 
were recommended: There should be emphasis on the required mechanical skills, in technical colleges. This will not 
only facilitate the teaching of the trade but will also ensure sustainable development and employability of the graduates 
in this 21st century. Government should adequately fund metal work practice and workshop programmes in technical 
colleges to ensure effective skill training of students and national development. Curriculum of technical colleges 
should be periodically reviewed to accommodate emerging trends in the field and entrepreneurship development as 
obtainable in developed countries