Requirements in Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works for Employability of Technical College Graduates in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The study investigated the industrial requirements in electrical installation and maintenance
works (EIMWs) for employability of technical college graduates (ETCG) in Akwa Ibom State.
To achieved the aims of the study, research purpose was formed, question raised with
corresponding hypothesis. The research design adopted was descriptive survey research
design. The population of the study comprised all the 991 Senior Technical III Students in
Electrical Installation and Maintenance Works Trade in the Nine Akwa Ibom State-owned
Technical Colleges (TCs). Sample of 346 were used in the study consisting of ST III Students
from TCs. Data collected using researcher’s designed instrument entitled “Electrical
Installation and Maintenance Works Technical Scale” (EIMWETS). The EIMWETS was
validated and tested for reliability which the estimates 0.78 and 0.791 for Part 2 and 0.79 for
Part 3 of the instrument respectively. Data analysis was done using simple linear regression
R
2
and the F value for the research question raised and testing the formulated hypothesis. The
results of the analysis revealed that EWSSA and WEMSA predicts ETCG was very high. CJSSA
and FDSA was high. The results also show that IEMSA and IWDSA was low. Meanwhile, the
extent of prediction of graduates’ employability by the students’ competence with tools, fault
rectification skills, and the installation of electrical equipment skill was very low. However,
the extent to which all the independent sub-variables predict the employability of the technical
college graduates were significant. In essence, it is concluded that the extent of graduates’
employability depends on the states of adequacy in the availability of required equipment and
facilities for technical study and learning. Arising from this backdrop, it is recommended
among others that Akwa Ibom State Government and corporate organisations/individuals
should provide the technical colleges with adequate and functional facilities (electrical
installation and maintenance work equipment and facilities) to assist in creating platforms for
students’ practical experience and enhancing their employability on the trade.