Technopreneurial Readiness Skills of Welding and Fabrication Technology Students in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

This research paper investigates the technopreneurial readiness skills among students specializing in Welding and Fabrication Technology in Technical Colleges in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The study, adopting a descriptive survey research design, examines the extent to which students possess critical technopreneurial skills, including arc welding, cutting, management, and critical thinking skills. To guide the study, four research questions and corresponding null hypotheses were formulated based on the specific objectives. A sample of 86 Senior Technical Two (ST2) students from 9 Technical Colleges in the state participated in the study, and purposive sampling was employed to select the sample. The instrument's reliability coefficient, determined through the Cronbach Alpha Formula, yielded a value of 0.86. Research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, while one-sample t-test was utilized to test the null hypotheses at a significance level of .05. The findings indicated that students demonstrated significant proficiency in arc welding and cutting skills, contributing significantly to their readiness for Technopreneurial endeavors. However, the study revealed a deficiency in management and critical thinking skills, posing challenges to Technopreneurial readiness. Consequently, the study concludes that students lack technopreneurship skills necessary to enhance their readiness for entrepreneurship. The study emphasized the need for collaborative efforts between educational institutions, local industries, and craftsmen to enrich students' skill sets. The researcher recommended that practical exercises in cutting and measuring, student- centered learning approaches, project-based instruction should be adopted to foster managerial and leadership skills.

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