Technical Skills Requisites of Auto-Mechanics Students in the Maintenance of Modern Vehicles in Nigeria

Abstract

The study determined the technical skills requisites of auto mechanics students in the maintenance of modern vehicles in Nigeria using a cross sectional survey research in which data were collected through a 30 items questionnaire on at target population of 340 consisting of 180 industrial workers and 160 technical teachers gotten from technical colleges and automobile maintenance and services units from Zuba, Federal Capital Territory Abuja; Kaduna State and Niger State. A convenient sampling technique was used to select 80 industrial workers and 80 technical teachers making up a total population of 160 respondents. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation on a four point scale, while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings of the study revealed among others that the technical skills possess by auto mechanics students is not satisfactorily significant for effective maintenance and repair of modern vehicles.; as a result craftsmen graduating from auto mechanics’ programme finds it difficult to efficiently apply computers in carrying out automobile diagnoses and repairs. The study recommended among others: that there should be periodic review of the technical college auto mechanics’ curriculum and the curriculum for training of automobile teachers to equip the teachers with the requisite technical and pedagogical skills needed to expose the students to the requisite skills. Similarly, the study suggested among others the organizing of retraining courses and workshops for auto-mechanics for enhancing their skills for effective maintenance of modern vehicles.