Abstract
This study was designed to assess the mechanical Engineering craft practice production units as means of enhancing skill acquisition in Technical Colleges in South-South Zone of Nigeria. To carry out the study six research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated. The design of the study was the descriptive survey. The study was conducted in the six States of South-South, namely, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers. The population for the study was 81 technical staff in the 15 Technical Colleges running production unit. A structured questionnaire containing sections (A-D) with a total of 61 items was used for collection of data. A checklist for availability and adequacy of facilities were developed and used. Also a rating scale on assessment of students’ skills was equally developed. The reliability test of the instrument for section B-D was done using Crombach Alpha statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance. An overall reliability coefficient of 0.86 was obtained. The administration of the instrument was done by the researcher with the help of five research assistants. Mean, Standard deviation and Analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. The findings of the study revealed that staff of mechanical engineering craft practice production unit possessed moderate skills; facilities available were fairly adequate; the administration manages the unit by planning, coordinating, directing and supervising the workforce for the attainment of set objectives; sales of finished product, imprest, PTA special development levies were the main sources of fund of the production unit and on quality of students’ products fairly good was the result of the finding. The implication of the study on the state Ministry of Education (MOE), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), College Administrators, Staff and
Students as well as curriculum planners were highlighted. The finding of the study will enable the MOE and NBTE to identify the technical skills required and will act as a guide in the recruitment of staff for instruction and management. Some recommendations based on the findings and suggestion for further study were made.