BLENDING TVET WITH GREEN SKILLS TOWARDS PREPARING TECHNICAL EDUCATION STUDENTS FOR FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION (4IR) IN NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITIES IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was objectively written to ascertain the green skills and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies required to be integrated with Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the North Central Universities. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Structured questionnaire was used to elicit response. 41 participants including nine curriculum experts, six HODs and 26 Lecturers were randomly selected from Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, University of Jos and University of Ilorin. The questionnaire yielded a reliability of .84 using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient. Findings revealed three major groups of green skills required to be integrated into TVET curriculum; employee productivity skills, green technologies, and education skills. The fourth Industrial Revolution technologies included; artificial intelligence, internet of things, and 3D printing among others. It was concluded that Green skills are essential to ensuring a transition into a low-carbon economy and innovation of Fourth Industrial Revolution. To ensure the productivity of TVET graduates, green skills are needed for the current and future industry. It was recommended that policy makers should take the necessary actions such as promoting basic skills, and green skills so that well-equipped graduates can meet the challenges of sustainable development towards 4IR in their work place.