COMPETENCY IMPROVEMENT NEEDS OF AUTO-MECHANICS TEACHERS FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF SCHOOLWORKSHOPS IN LAGOS STATE TECHNICAL COLLEGES

Abstract

The main goal of motor vehicle mechanics trade in the technical colleges is to produce competent vehicle mechanics and technicians for all types of vehicles. The graduates of the technical college programme should be equipped with the modern skills that will enable them to secure employment in the industries or set up their own business. The students of Auto Mechanic in Lagos state technical colleges have high hope of being employed by the industries due to the industrial nature of the State.  However, contrary to this high expectation and hope by the students, majority of the students have been completing the programme with inadequate skills. This is due to lack of necessary competency needed to run or manage a workshop, and this thus could not earn them paid employment or self-employment. A study was carried out on the mechanical trades’ teachers including motor vehicle mechanic work teachers to determine their competencies in managing the workshops. It was established through the study that some teachers lacked the basic competencies needed for the management of the school workshops. Necessary management competencies are required to be acquired so that the teachers should be able to effectively plan what to teach with the available materials, tools and equipment. Regular training and retraining should be planned and organized for auto mechanic teachers in the technical colleges.