The Extent of School-Industry Collaboration for Achieving Technical Education Graduates’ Industrial Usability in Cross River State

Abstract

Aims: This study focused on determining the extent of school-industry collaboration for achieving technical education graduates’ industrial usability in Cross River State. Study Design: The study adopt a descriptive survey design. Place and Duration of Study: Technical Education lecturers and industrialist in Cross River State, Nigeria, between February 2017 and November 2018. Methodology: The population of the study comprises of 2250 respondents, of which 12 respondents are from the school (that is, 8 lecturers from the Cross River University of Technology Calabar and 4 lecturers from the Cross River State College of Education Akamkpa) and 2238 from industry. The sample size for the study comprised 506 respondents. This represents approximately 22% of the total industries population and the entire population from schools. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled “Extent of School-Industry Collaboration and industrial usability of Technical Education Graduates Questionnaire (ESICAIUTEGQ)”. The Usability scale reads: Very High Extent (VHE) = 5 points, High Extent (HE)= 4 points, Moderate Extent (ME)= 3 points, Low Extent (LE)= 2 points and Very Low Extent (VLE)= 1 point. Cronbach Alpha statistics was used to ascertain the coefficient reliability of 0.86. The researcher administered the graduate usability questionnaire through direct delivery method to Technical Education lecturers and industrialists to be completed. After collection, the administered instrument will be scored in line with instrument scoring guide and analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Results: The results of the study revealed that School-industry collaboration in curriculum development for achieving technical education graduates’ usability by industries was rated to a moderate extent. More so, the study uncovered that School-industry collaboration in curriculum implementation for achieving technical education graduates’ usability by industries was rated to a moderate extent. School-industry collaboration in facilities utilization for achieving technical education graduates’ usability by industries was rated to a low extent. Also, the study further revealed that there is a significant difference in the mean response of technical education teachers and industrialist on the extent of school-industry collaboration in curriculum implementation. Conclusion: Based on the analysis, the study reveals the dangers of the school and industry existing in isolation. As such, school and industries should collaborate in building the technical education of their dreams and desires. Also, the government however would see to it the federal ministry of science, technology and innovation and the ministry of education be given special consideration in budget allocation and existing policies on education be review as to embrace global standards and improve relevance.