PRACTICAL SKILLS NEEDED BY NIGERIA CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) STUDENTS IN MACHINE SHOP OPERATIONS FOR BEST PRACTICES IN FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL)GOMBE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine practical skills needed by Nigerian Certificate of Education (Technical) students in machine shop operations in Federal College of Education (Technical) Gombe State, Nigeria. Two research questions and two hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study was a descriptive survey research design. The area of the study was Gombe state in the North East geo-political zone of Nigeria. The population of the study was37 respondents; there was no sampling. The instrument used for data collection was titled “Practical Skills Needed for Machine Shop Operations Questionnaires”, (PSNMSOQ). The instrument was validated by three experts. The result obtained were then calculated by using Pearson’s product moment to obtain the reliability coefficient which was 0.76. The data generated from the study was analysed using Mean and Grand mean statistics. The findings of the study among others revealed that, Metalwork Students have little practical skills in Machine shop for fabrication operations, it was discovered that some Metalwork Students have little problems in identifying safety Precautions. It was also found that many Metalwork Students perform better in other skills items in Machine Shop Operations. Based on the findings of the study, the followings recommendations were made that Metalwork Lecturers should engage Metalwork Students with more practical work/assignment on Machine Shop operations. Metalwork Lecturers should supervise regularly during machine shop practical’s and give more