Developing Industrial and Technological Manpower via Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in Nigeria

The need for continual production and replacement of industrial and technological manpower cannot be undermined, since it will enhance the sustainable industrial and technological advancement and security for national development. One important and indispensable programme that can produce demand-driven manpower for sustainable industrial and technological advancement and national development is TVET. In line with the assertion, this study identified the mechanisms for developing industrial and technological manpower via TVET for national development. The study was guided with two research questions and one hypothesis. The descriptive survey research design was employed. The sample was made up of 135 TVET teachers and 123 TVET industrial workers in Delta and Edo States of Nigeria, who were selected using simple random and convenience sampling techniques respectively. Questionnaire validated by three experts and with a reliability coefficient of 0.83, obtained through split-half method was used for data collection. The data analysis was carried out using mean and t-test statistics. The findings revealed that TVET policy reform issues and TVET-industry partnership are viable mechanisms for developing industrial and technological manpower for national development via TVET programmes in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended among others that stringent policy document should be prepared by government and TVET stakeholders to properly harmonize TVET programmes in Nigeria and industrial/technological advancement.Keywords: Development, policy, partnership, manpower, industry, technology, TVET