COLLABORATION BETWEEN SCIENCE TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND INDUSTRIES FOR EFFECTIVE SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TRADES (METs) IN BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study focused on the method of enhancing school-industry collaboration for effective skill development of Mechanical Engineering Trades (METs) students in Science Technical Colleges in Bauchi State. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study was guided by two research questions and two null hypotheses tested at .05 level of significance. The population for the study was 20, comprising 13 METs teachers and seven industrial based supervisors in Bauchi State.  There was no sampling used as the population was manageable. The instrument for data collection was 30 item structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by three experts and reliability coefficient of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Data collected were analyzed using Mean and Standard Deviation to answer the research questions, while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at .05 levels of significance. The findings of the study show a gap in the preparation of METs students for skill acquisition, in terms of curriculum, low competence of technical teachers and lack of cooperation between and schools. Based on the findings, the study recommended for a review of Science Technical College curriculum to include industry-based job skills. Furthermore, it recommended that technical teachers should be provided the opportunity to upgrade their skills in industries with the current technologies. It also recommended that Industries should share facilities with Science Technical Colleges. Finally, it recommended for total retooling of Science Technical College workshops and laboratories with new training equipment and machine tools in line with modern practices.