ASSESSMENT OF NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED BY TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION GRADUATES FOR EMPLOYMENT IN BAYELSA STATE.

Abstract

The study centered on assessment of non-technical skills required by technology education graduates for employment in Bayelsa State. The study made use of descriptive survey research design. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. The population for the study comprised 31 respondents consisting of directors, managers, principal of various organisations. A twenty-one (21) items questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. The instrument was validated by an expert from the Department of vocational and technology education, Rivers State University and a Director from Isaac Jasper Boro College of Education Bayelsa State. The reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha and the reliability index stood at 0.98, 0.95 and 0.96. The data collected were analysed using mean statistic and standard deviation. The study revealed that employers placed great importance on non-technical skill such as communication skill, problem solving skill and team work skills. Base on the findings, the study recommends that Non-technical skill should be integrated into the curriculum of technology education programmes. Lecturer of technology education should be exposed to training and workshop on the relevance arrears of non-technical skills. Graduates of technology education should also help by attending seminars and workshops that will expose them to non-technical skills.