IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT RESEARCH (IJSSMR )

E-ISSN 2545-5303
P-ISSN 2695-2203
VOL. 11 NO. 1 2025
DOI: 10.56201/ijssmr.vol.11no1.2025.pg.212.234

---

Modelling the Integration of Core Competencies among Students of Technical Colleges through Work-Based Learning in North- Western States, Nigeria

Gimba Dogara, Ponfa Mamfa Jantur, Gillian Gyeyok Ashio, Fadipe Bayo Michael

---

Abstract

One of the concerning issues in Nigeria has been the degree of core competencies that graduates of technical and vocational education possess for employment. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how some critical aspects of work-based learning (academic alignment and employer engagement) affect the core competencies integration among students at technical colleges. The survey research design was utilized in the study. The stratified technique of random selection was used to sample 273 technical instructors from a population of 342 in the sample area, taking into account the complex and heterogeneous community from which the survey was collected. The academic alignment and employer engagement questionnaire (AAEEQ) was the tool developed by the researcher, evaluated by three Technical and Vocational specialists and utilized to gather information from the respondents. Twenty technical and vocational school teachers were given the questionnaire, and the Cronbach Alpha method was used to measure its reliability, which came out to be 0.86. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to put the items into the required dimensions. Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS) version 23 was used carry out the confirmatory factor analysis, a critical component of structural equation modeling (SEM) to answer the research questions and the hypothesis that goes along with them at the 0.05 level of significance. The results of the study showed that work-based learning (WBL) academic alignment and employer engagement all significantly improved students' core competencies at technical colleges. Based on the study's outcomes, the government should create a supportive environment that encourages appropriate work-based learning activities to enhance the integration of core competencies.

keywords:

Core Competencies, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), Technical Colleges

---

References:

Abdul Hadi, A., Roslan, S. R., Mohammad Aidid, E., Abdullah, N., & Musa, R. (2022).
Development and Validation of a New Gadget Addiction Scale (Screen Dependency Scale)
among Pre-School Children in Malaysia. International Journal of Environmental Research
and Public Health, 19(24), 16916. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416916
Amechi, M. H. (2022). What Everyone Should Know about Designing Equity-Minded Paid Work-
Based Learning Opportunities for College Students. In New America (Issue September).
https://tinyurl.com/22j62h3s
Amish, M. (2024). Enhancing Workplace Skills through Work-Based Learning in Engineering
Education. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
(IJISRT), 9(7), 1983–1990. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/ijisrt24jul1276
Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., & Asri, M. A. M. (2015a). Parametric and Non Parametric Approach
in Structural Equation Modeling ( SEM ): The Application of Bootstrapping. 9(9), 58–67.
https://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v9n9p58
Awang, Z., Afthanorhan, A., & Asri, M. A. M. (2015b). Parametric and non parametric approach
in Structural Equation Modeling ( SEM ): The tpplication of bootstrapping. 9(9), 58–67.
https://doi.org/10.5539/mas.v9n9p58
Azorín, C., & Fullan, M. (2022). Leading new, deeper forms of collaborative cultures: Questions
and
pathways.
Journal
of
Educational
Change,
23(1),
131–143.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10833-021-09448-w




Babin, B. J., & Anderson, R. E. (2014). Multivariate data analysis:Pearson new international
edition PDF eBook (Pearson). Pearson Education Limited. https://tinyurl.com/42ymzh2x
Belchior-Rocha, H., Casquilho-Martins, I., & Simões, E. (2022). Transversal Competencies for
Employability: From Higher Education to the Labour Market. Education Sciences, 12(4).
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12040255
Bell, N. (2018). Exploring the Association Between Worker Engagement and Safety Behaviours
(Issue May 2018) [Cardiff Metropolitan University]. https://tinyurl.com/3nrebfn6
Chan, F., Lee, G. K., Lee, E. J., Kubota, C., & Allen, C. A. (2007). Structural equation modeling
in rehabilitation counseling research. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 51(1), 44–57.
https://doi.org/10.1177/00343552070510010701
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2023). Reporting reliability,
convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-
practice recommendations. In Asia Pacific Journal of Management (Vol. 41, Issue 2).
Springer US. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
Cimatti, B. (2016). Definition, development, assessment of soft skills and their role for the quality
of organizations and enterprises. International Journal for Quality Research, 10(1), 97–
https://doi.org/10.18421/IJQR10.01-05
Deschaine, M. E., & Jankens, B. P. (2017). Creating successful and sustainable educational
administrative internship experiences. Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning,
7(1), 5–20. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-02-2016-0008
Devkota, N., Rana, M., Parajuli, S., Bhandari, U., & Paudel, U. R. (2022). Employers’ Perception
towards Need of Profession Skills in MBA Graduates: Evidence from Ordered Logistic
Regression.
Journal
of
Business
and
Management,
6(01),
1–17.
https://doi.org/10.3126/jbm.v6i01.46628
Dwyer, L. O. (2020). Review of employment-based training models. https://tinyurl.com/2du435zv
Fawcett, S. (2020). Preparing An Equitable Future Workforce: An Examination of Work-Based
Learning (WBL) & Work Experience as a Catalyst for Career Maturity of Students &
Alumni [San Diego State University]. In Definitions. https://doi.org/10.32388/182x3f
Gebremedhin, M., Gebrewahd, E., & Stafford, L. K. (2022). Validity and reliability study of
clinician attitude towards rural health extension program in Ethiopia: exploratory and
confirmatory factor analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 22(1), 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08470-9




Ghulami, H. R., Rashid, M., Hamid, A. B., & Zakaria, R. (2014). Partial least squares structural
equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Journal of Quality Measurement and Analysis, 10(1), 1–
Great, A. O., & Ezinwa, I. O. (2022). Managing University Education for Employability in
Nigeria?: The Way Forward. British Journal of Education, 10(6), 37–45.
https://tinyurl.com/3vxb6tyv
Hair, J. F., Risher, J. J., Sarstedt, M., & Ringle, C. M. (2019). When to use and how to report the
results
of
PLS-SEM.
European
Business
Review,
31(1),
2–24.
https://doi.org/10.1108/EBR-11-2018-0203
Hair, J. F., Sarstedt, M., Pieper, T. M., & Ringle, C. M. (2012). The use of partial least squares
structural equation modeling in strategic management research?: a review of past practices
and recommendations for future applications. Long Range Planning, 45(5–6), 320–340.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2012.09.008
Hair, Joseph, & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-
SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example.
Research
Methods
in
Applied
Linguistics,
1(3),
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027
Hair, Jr., F., J., Tomas, G., Hult, M., Ringle, C., & Sarstedt, M. (2016). A primer on partial least
Squares structural equation modeling ( PLS-SEM ), 2nd edition (second edi, Issue May).
SAGE Publications, Inc Published. https://tinyurl.com/2sspj627
Hermawan, R., & Farozin, M. (2018). The role of career exploration in career decision participants.
The
International
Journal
of
Counseling
and
Education,
3(4),
126–132.
https://tinyurl.com/4wm5frw5
Huddleston, P. (2020). A short history of employer engagement. In Education and Employers.
https://tinyurl.com/4wm5frw5
Izah, S. C., Sylva, L., & Hait, M. (2024). Cronbach’s Alpha: A Cornerstone in Ensuring Reliability
and Validity in Environmental Health Assessment. ES Energy and Environment, 23, 1–14.
https://doi.org/10.30919/esee1057
Jackson, D., Rowbottom, D., Ferns, S., & McLaren, D. (2017). Employer understanding of Work-
Integrated Learning and the challenges of engaging in work placement opportunities.
Studies
in
Continuing
Education,
39(1),
35–51.
https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2016.1228624
Jalinus, N., Syahril, Haq, S., & Kassymova, G. K. (2023). Work-based learning for the engineering
field in vocational education: Understanding concepts, principles and best practices.




Journal
of
Engineering
Researcher
and
Lecturer,
2(1),
9–17.
https://doi.org/10.58712/jerel.v2i1.22
Khine, M. S. (2013). Application of structural equation modeling in educational research and
practice. Sense publishers (vol 7). Sense Publishers No. https://tinyurl.com/ytmxhvuh
Khuzainey, I., Zulkifli, M. N., Sattar Rasul, M., & Pang, C. L. (2020). Technical competency
among vocational teachers in malaysian public skills training institutions: Measurement
model validation using PLS-SEM. Journal of Technical Education and Training, 12(1
Special Issue), 163–175. https://doi.org/10.30880/jtet.2020.12.01.017
Mann, S., Furness, T., Yuan, Y., Iorio, J., & Wang, Z. (2018). All Reality?: Virtual , Augmented ,
Mixed ( X ), Mediated ( X , Y ), and Multimediated Reality. National Center for Education
Statistics, X, 2018–2144. https://tinyurl.com/4e72wmsb
Martinez, C. (2022). Developing 21st century teaching skills: A case study of teaching and learning
through
project-based
curriculum.
Cogent
Education,
9(1),
https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2021.2024936
Maskey, R., Fei, J., & Nguyen, H. (2018). Use of exploratory factor analysis in maritime research.
The
Asian
Journal
of
Shipping
and
Logistics,
34(2),
91–111.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajsl.2018.06.006
Musset, P., & Mýtna Kureková, L. (2018). Working it out: Career Guida

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back