Perception of Employers' in Transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training vis-a-vis Emerging Technology Tools for Sustainable Workforce Development in Nigeria

Economic competitiveness of a country depends to a large extent on the skills of its workforce. The skills and the competencies of the workforce, in turn, are dependent upon the quality of the country’s education and training. Education and training are undergoing continuous change, and this change poses more challenges to the 21st-century workforce, and to training institutions. Despite the importance of TVET in transforming economic development, of any nation, Nigeria still has different perspectives about the competency of its TVET graduates. Therefore, the paper aims at determining the perceptions of Organized Private Sector (OPS) employers’ regarding the competency of TVET graduates and the role of emerging technology tools in transforming TVET for a sustainable workforce development. Using a descriptive survey research design and a sample of 80 OPS employers. A validated and piloted questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale used as the data collection instrument for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics including means, standard deviation and ANOVA. Data analysis was facilitated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that employers were not satisfied with the competency level of TVET graduates as it is showed that they are not well prepared to enter the competitive workforce and to be self-reliant. Given the nature and complexity of the field of TVET for a sustainable workforce, it was recommended that the utilization of adequate planning and management of emerging technology tools and resources in teaching TVET programs could contribute enormously to the quality and sustainability of the Nigerian workforce

A tve curriculum framework for sustainability literacy

Existing curriculum frameworks for sustainability literacy emphasize the importance of curriculum reorientation but do not take cognisance of the essential Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) components that are needed for such curricular reorientation. To develop sustainability literate citizens and workers, ESD must become an integral part of the learning experiences provided in TVE teacher education programs. Therefore, this study sought to develop a curriculum framework for sustainability literacy. The study was carried out in three phases using a triangulation design. Phase one explored the extent to which ESD is reflected in four TVE teacher training programs in Malaysia using Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA) approach. The study in phase two explored the perspectives of 15 ESD experts about the important curriculum components required for sustainability literacy in TVE using a modified Delphi method. In phase three a survey of 116 TVE educators was carried out to validate the identified curriculum framework components in terms of their utility value and feasibility for implementation in TVE. Findings from the QDA revealed that ESD was essentially minimal, as only minute depictions of the concept were reflected across the TVE programs. Four curriculum components for sustainability literacy in TVE were identified from the modified Delphi. These identified framework components reflect the sustainability knowledge, skills and attributes required to develop sustainability competent vocational teachers. Findings from phase three reveals that TVE educators consider all the identified framework components and dimensions important for inclusion in the existing TVE curriculum. These components provide opportunities to develop vocational teachers of the future, who possess the requisite skills to facilitate teaching and learning on sustainability issues and concepts. The framework also proposes using a range of active learning pedagogical approaches to develop pre-service teacher’s competencies on sustainability literacy

Empowering Nigerian Youths through Technical Vocational Education and Training for Enhancing National Security

The Nigerian government had initiated several youth empowerment programmes through TVET, but a lot of these programmes lack structure and their impact not felt by the nation’s youths. This is evident in the substantial number of youth that still lack work skills-which often results to unemployment, insecurity, loss of lives and properties and chaos. The study therefore, sought to investigate, TVET empowerment skills required by youths as a means for enhancing national security. Descriptive survey research design was used and data was obtained using a structured questionnaire known as the Empowerment Skill Inventory Checklist (ESIC). Eighty five TVET lecturers in post-secondary vocational institutions took part in the study. Findings revealed that youths require vocational skills in areas such as horticulture, business, engineering and construction works. Also recommended techniques and strategies for career development that include specific skills such as business skills, financial management skills, basic computation skills, communication skills and adaptation skills

Strategies for Improving Higher Order Thinking Skills in Teaching and Learning of Design and Technology Education

Higher order thinking skills (HOTS) should be an integral part of teaching and learning especially at the higher education level. Thinking skills lessons should be part of the curriculum if students are to solve problems individually, cooperatively and creatively. Teachers on the other hand must be conversant with relevant techniques needed for teaching higher order thinking. An in-depth review of literature reveals that teachers are faced with the problem of how to prepare and teach higher order thinking skills in design and technology education. This paper is a library based work; and data were collected from textbooks, journal articles and internet search. The paper critically examined existing practices in the teaching of higher order thinking skills in design and technology education. Some of the key features mentioned were the use of concept, inferences, visualization, and schemas, among others. Recommendations for practice change were made regarding the development of HOTS. &nbsp

An Action Research on The Effect of Using Real Modeled Object in Teaching Orthographic Drawing Concepts on Students’ Performance

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) has become a common tool used by educational institutions in teaching engineering drawing. Although more practical, learning that relies too heavily on CAD can lead to a decrease in students' ability to visualize and interpret technical drawing objects. This study will examine the integration of CAD in technical drawing education with the use of real model objects in the orthographic drawing and its impact on students’s performance. The study employed a three-step data collection approach, including a pre-test, intervention, and post-test, as well as a questionnaire to determine students' perceptions of the learning process. The study participants were fifteen fourth-grade high school students from SMA Seri Aman, Kota Tinggi. The students had previously been taught orthographic drawing and had prior knowledge of the subject matter. Based on the regression testing results, a p-value of 0.00 <0.05 was obtained, indicating a significant relationship between real modeled object learning and students' learning performance. Additionally, based on the average scores, there was an improvement in each phase, with pre-test scores of 4.46 and post-test scores of 8.40, indicating that the use of real modeled objects significantly improved learning outcomes compared to conventional learning models in orthographic drawing materials

Passive damping techniques with LCL filter in inverter-grid connected

In this paper, the challenge of harmonic injection mitigation becomes critical with the massive use of inverters in electrical distribution systems that has been discussed and analyzed. Currently, between the inverter and the grid, L, LC or LCL filters is often used to mitigate the current harmonic. Further, filter connection in both delta-to-star or star-to-delta transformer for state space model of LC filter couplings with impedance is obtained in this paper and it also talked about the different passive damping techniques that been used to suppress the resonance effect on the filter. The effect of series and parallel damping resistor techniques that impact filtering and stability are also been analyzed and discussed. At the end, the simulation results show that LCL filter with parallel damping resistor achieves best performance compared on those for L, LC, or LCL with series damping resistor while at the same time enhancing the smoothness of the signal output while at the same time reducing the percentage of total harmonic distortion between inverter-grid connection

Perception of Employers' in Transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training vis-a-vis Emerging Technology Tools for Sustainable Workforce Development in Nigeria

Economic competitiveness of a country depends to a large extent on the skills of its workforce. The skills and the competencies of the workforce, in turn, are dependent upon the quality of the country’s education and training. Education and training are undergoing continuous change, and this change poses more challenges to the 21st-century workforce, and to training institutions. Despite the importance of TVET in transforming economic development, of any nation, Nigeria still has different perspectives about the competency of its TVET graduates. Therefore, the paper aims at determining the perceptions of Organized Private Sector (OPS) employers’ regarding the competency of TVET graduates and the role of emerging technology tools in transforming TVET for a sustainable workforce development. Using a descriptive survey research design and a sample of 80 OPS employers. A validated and piloted questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale used as the data collection instrument for the study. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics including means, standard deviation and ANOVA. Data analysis was facilitated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that employers were not satisfied with the competency level of TVET graduates as it is showed that they are not well prepared to enter the competitive workforce and to be self-reliant. Given the nature and complexity of the field of TVET for a sustainable workforce, it was recommended that the utilization of adequate planning and management of emerging technology tools and resources in teaching TVET programs could contribute enormously to the quality and sustainability of the Nigerian workforce

A Systematic Review on Education for Sustainable Development: Enhancing Tve Teacher Training Programme

As the call for the advancement of TVET deepens, and as skill requirement for vocations transcends traditional job requirements due to technological advancement and innovation. It becomes imperative that workers in the industrial and vocational ambits of nations develop the requisite skills and capacities for work in the 21st century that adheres to sustainable standards and meets market needs also. Thereby, contributing to societal wellbeing and community development.  To achieve this goal, teachers in Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) have a crucial to play as they will be responsible for the training of workers and developing their skills and capacities for work necessary to improving societal well-being and community development. The challenge is that technical and vocational teachers are not being trained to develop capabilities for Sustainability. Using a systematic literature review, this paper critically examines the extant literature on education for sustainable development and provides a synthesis of the literature in identifying the shared message that SD and ESD models attempt to represent. Furthermore, the paper discusses the factors that foster societal well-being and community development through an ESD perspective.  Conclusively emphasis is paid on the unique and significant role that technical and Vocational teachers can play in contributing towards the transition to sustainable development. Consequently, this paper culminates with an analysis of the various ways TVE can help contribute towards societal wellbeing and community development if SD is rightly integrated within TVE teacher training programs

A Case Analysis of the Visibility of Sustainability in a TVE Teacher Training Program: Evidence from the Program Curriculum of an HEI

In the post-DESD (Decade of Education for Sustainable Development) era spearheaded by the United Nations, evidence of the progress of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) integration across disciplines have been recorded. Developed nations have made substantial progress in reorienting their educational systems to reflect ESD. Some developing nations have also begun to integrate ESD into their education systems. Malaysia is one of such nations who has pledged commitment towards the ESD goal and has taken some steps to develop a general philosophy with which higher education institutions can begin to model best practices for ESD. Irrespective of this pledged commitment towards ESD by the Malaysian government through its Ministry of Education, evidence of the extent of ESD integration in Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) teacher training programs have not been reported. As a result, it is difficult to ascertain whether TVE programs were preparing future teachers for ESD. Therefore, this study explores through a Qualitative Documentary Analysis approach, the extent to which ESD is reflected in the TVE program curriculum using a university of education in Malaysia as a case study for the analysis. Findings revealed that some elements of ESD were minutely reflected in the TVE program. Meanwhile, several opportunities to embed ESD content and principles were identified through existing course offerings in the program. Hence it was recommended that TVE institutions begin to model best practices used by western universities in their attempt to embed ESD into TVE programs

Teaching and Learning Approaches: Curriculum Framework for Sustainability Literacy for Technical and Vocational Teacher Training Programmes in Malaysia

Given the impact of unsustainable practices, work, and living patterns, it has become increasingly important to raise global citizens as stewards of the earth’s life support system. Thus, developing sustainability literacy has become very crucial. A sustainability-literate professional can make sound decisions and act in environmentally friendly, socially acceptable, and economically viable ways. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) arguably has the potential to educate workers, graduates, and citizens alike in developing sustainability literacy since it is regarded in many nations as the supplier of skilled labour. TVET teacher training programmes in Malaysia have been vastly proficient in developing vocationally competent teachers and workers. Still, there remains uncertainty regarding the extent to which these vocational teaching professionals have been trained to develop sustainability competencies and literacies. The implication is that, when technical and vocational teachers responsible for training workers do not possess the requisite competencies to engage in sustainability education, the potential for TVET to become a viable tool for ESD diminishes. Given this backdrop, this study was undertaken to propose a curriculum framework for sustainability literacy for technical and vocational teacher training programmes. Using a modified Delphi method (MDM) consisting of 15 expert participants from Asian-Pacific countries, four important curricular elements for sustainability literacy were identified and defined. These include the learning outcomes for sustainability literacy, teaching competencies for sustainability literacy, pedagogical approaches to foster effective teaching and learning for sustainability, as well as ESD integration strategies. The specific indicators within this curriculum framework were also defined. The paper concludes with vivid implications for practice within TVET teacher training programmes in realising Goal 4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)