Competencies Required for Effective Service Delivery of Diesel Engine among Mechanical Trade Students for Sustainable Livelihood in Bayelsa State

Abstract

The study assessed competencies required in effective service delivery of diesel engine in 
government science and technical colleges for students’ sustainable livelihood in Bayelsa 
State. A descriptive research survey design was adopted with three objectives, three research 
questions and three null hypotheses formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. 
Population of the study was 137 respondents (112 mechanical trade students and 25 workshop 
teachers/instructors) from four (4) Government Science and Technical Colleges in Bayelsa 
State. 100 percent of the population was used as the sample size; as such no sampling 
technique was utilized. A self-structured questionnaire designed in 4-point rating scale of 
highly required, required, moderately required, and not required was used for data collection. 
Frequency, mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions 
formulated with a criterion mean value of 2.50. Z-test statistical tool was used to test the null 
hypothesis at significance level of 0.05. Thus the result of the null hypothesis was accepted 
if the z-critical is less than the z-calculated and rejected if otherwise. The finding showed that 
mechanical trade students require competencies in engine maintenance, engine diagnoses, 
and competencies in troubleshooting for effective service delivery of diesel engines. Thus, 
the study recommended among others that Government Science and Technical Colleges 
should establish partnership with mechanical industries to enable mechanical trade students 
have a compulsory industrial attachment to enhance their skills in maintenance of diesel 
engines. Utilizing this means will enable students have hands-on experience on tools, 
machines and equipment for maintaining of diesel engines and thus make learning a replica 
of the work environment.