Relevance of industry stakeholder partnership in the production of skilled electrical engineering trade graduates

Abstract

This paper explores the relevance of the industry stakeholder in the production of skilled electrical installation and maintenance technical college (TC) graduates in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. One research question was set in the study: What is the relevance of stakeholder partnerships in the production of skilled Electrical Installation and Maintenance Trade (EIMT) Graduates? A qualitative exploratory case study involving a Community-Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) approach was used to purposively select ten participants. The data were generated through individual interviews and focus group discussions and were analysed thematically. Experiential learning theory was employed as a theoretical framework in the study. The study's findings revealed the emergence of the following themes: development of willingness to learn, exposure/development of new relevant trade-related skills, exposure/development of practical skills, challenges of the technical college programme, and innovative teaching. From these findings, the study concludes that the industry stakeholder is necessary for producing skilled EIMT graduates in line with the objectives of the TC programme in Nigeria. Thus, the study contributes to the body of existing knowledge on the Technical College programme and within the field of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) on the relevance of industry stakeholder partnership in the production of skilled EIMT. Recommendations were also made based on the conclusion.