Title: IMPACT OF SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ON SELF -RELIANCE IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE

Authors:
ENOBUN-NWIDI Patience Enyiamaka, AWEN Benjamin Iorsue & Hannatu Gammaniel DANBATURE

Abstract: Abstract The lack of requisite skills needed in today's labour market inhibits youths and graduates from being self-reliant. The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of skills development on self-reliance in selected skills in Zaria, Kaduna State. This paper employed a survey research design. Purposive and judgmental sampling was adopted to select respondents whose opinions are relevant and to make valuable decisions. Thus, 158 samples were arrived at based on a value judgement that the respondents are experts in the subject matter. The unit of analysis of this paper is the experts who have been established in selected skills (manufacturers, motor mechanics and carpenters). The instrument for data collection was a closed-ended structured questionnaire. The face validity assessment was done by the issuance of a copy of the questionnaire to four lecturers who are experts in the field. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to determine the reliability of the instruments used. Data were coded using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The findings revealed that manufacturing, auto servicing and carpentry skills have a positive significant impact on self-reliance. The paper recommended that the career counsellors and other stakeholders should as a matter of importance counsel the youths and graduates on the importance of discovering their potentials in manufacturing, auto servicing and carpentry. This will make them not look down on these skills but rather make themselves available to acquire the skills for self-reliance. The government should also assist the youths and graduates with grants to enable them to purchase the tools needed for start-ups. This grant will enable them to establish to practicalize their skills for self- reliance. Keywords: Skills development, Manufacturing skill, Auto servicing skill, Carpentry skill, Self-reliance

Publication Date: 2024-07-03