IDENTIFICATION OF REQUIRED TVET SKILLS FOR SUSTAINABLE ELIMINATION OF ASBESTOS BASE AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE-PAD AND LININGS USAGE IN NIGERIA: MEANS FOR SECURING AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC LIVES

Abstract

Auto-mechanics are exposed to asbestos brake pad dust particles during brake repair job there-by putting them at higher risk of developing asbestos-induced lung cancer among other related illness. The diseases associated to asbestos brake pad particles manifest if the mechanic inhales the dust from brake pad and lining. Symptoms of these diseases do not show up until many years after exposure. These problems still persist in Nigeria because of less attention in the area of institutionalization of findings from previous researches on asbestos brake pads. Hence, the purpose of this study was to identify required TVET skills for elimination of asbestos base automotive brake-pad usage in Nigeria. In order to attain the objectives of the study, descriptive survey design was adopted. A population of 60 TVET lecturers of Mechanical Technology option was used and was drawn from five Nigerian Universities that offered courses in Industrial Technical Education. There was no sampling because the entire population was studied since it is of manageable size. Six specific purposes and six research questions guided the study. Questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. The instrument was face validated by two experts (one material scientist and one Industrial technical Educationist). Cronbach Alpha Coefficient method was used to establish the reliability coefficient index of the instrument at 0.87. The six stated research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation, and a decision rule of mean rating of 3.50 and above was set as required, while mean rating below 3.50 was regarded as not-required. The results of the findings from the study include: six major TVET skills and fifty-three sub-required technical skills were identified findings indicated that all the identified TVET skills were apt. The recommendation among others was that the identified TVET skills for the manufacture of asbestos-free automotive brake-pad and linings, should be integrated into Vocational and Technical institutions curriculum.