The perception of lecturers, technicians and trainees on the relevance of automotive engineering training for industry in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the extent of the gap between the capability of technicians produced from TVET Institution and their performance in the workplace. The study was carried out in selected institutions i.e. all national polytechnics, two technical training institutes, two established garages and two jua kali areas. The research investigated the perception of lecturers in TVET institutions and supervisors in the automobile industry towards the performance of technicians. It also looked at the relationship between what they learnt in the TVET program and what was required of them by the automobile industry, and finally the perception of lecturers and trainees towards the available tools, equipment and instructional materials for learning the automotive engineering diploma course. Systematic, random, purposive and stratified sampling methods were used in sampling while data was collected through questionnaires, interviews and direct observation. The statistical tools used for data analysis were chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance (α=0.05). The statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 10.1 for windows) was used to confirm the findings. The qualitative data analysis was done using open coding techniques. The study found out that the Lecturers and Automobile Industry supervisors were dissatisfied with the performance of technicians and that a relationship existed between what the technicians learn and what is required of them in the automobile industry. Lecturers and trainees had the same view of dissatisfaction with regard to tools, equipments and materials for learning the automotive engineering diploma course. The study concluded that the respondents are not satisfied with the training given to automotive engineering trainees at diploma level and recommends that the Automobile Industry collaborates with TVET Institutions in reviewing the curriculum in order to cope with the first changing technological advancements. The study recommends that a research to find out why there is continued decline in enrolment in automotive engineering courses at all levels of technical, vocational education and training (TVET) institutions be conducted. The study also recommended that a research to find out how graduates of automotive engineering diploma course are fairing on in the informal sector.