Assessment of Skill Needs of Motor Mechanics for Carburetor Engine Service in Port Harcourt Metropolis in Rivers State

Abstract

The study assessed the skill needs of motor mechanics for carburetor engine service in Port Harcourt metropolis, 
Rivers State. Three (3) objectives, three (3) research questions and three (3) hypotheses guided the study. The study 
adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 139 technical educators and automechanics attendants in Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State. There was no sample due to the small population of 
the study. Data were collected using structured questionnaire designed in 5-point Likert rating scale. The instrument 
was face and content validated by experts in the Department of Vocational and Technology Education, Rivers State 
University. A reliability coefficient of 0.82 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha. The research questions were analyzed 
using mean and standard deviation while z-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The study 
revealed that the ability to perform phase angle test accurately, ability to check the performing engine tune-up 
accurately, ability to fix problems on manual transmission systems, by road-side auto-mechanics on diagnostic 
machine services, fixing of engine parts, among others helps to improve service delivery in Port Harcourt metropolis, 
Rivers State. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Government should strictly organize training and retraining programmes for technical educators on modern trends of technological advancement on diagnostic machine 
services in Port-Harcourt metropolis. By this, new technologies and new techniques can be achieved and those who 
acquire the mechanical skills or knowledge through formal or informal way as mechanics should come to a formidable 
agreement as a union to avoid having unqualified mechanics in handling carburetor, ignition and other auto-mobile 
car parts system services in Port-Harcourt metropolis in Rivers State