An Appraisal of Employable Content of the National Diploma in Architectural Technology Program in North East Nigeria

Abstract

The study was designed to determine the applicability of knowledge and skill content of the National diploma in Architectural Technology (NDAT) Program. The study involves 4 Polytechnics in the North East zone of Nigeria are involved, Namely Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Bauchi, and Damaturu along with Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri. The respondents are from stakeholders of the NDAT Operating departments at the listed institutions. They include lecturers (54), Instructors (14), Technologist (9), Technicians (26), Higher National Diploma (HND) Architectural Technology Student (44) and NDAT graduating Class Student (33). A total population of 192 respondents. To guide the study, research questions touched on which occupations can be associated with type of knowledge and skill content of the NDAT program. A structured questionnaire containing twenty occupations that require core, Linkage or general knowledge or skills as those in NDAT training was administered. The data collected was cumulated and analyzed using sample percentage as statistics tool, the result showed that all occupations scored more than 50%, 3 had scores between 50-59%, 3 between 60-69%, 7 scored 70-79%, 6 had 80-89% while 1 recorded over 90% acceptance of its applicability to knowledge and skill sets in the NDAT, the responses indicate a level of acceptance that the NDAT courses carry knowledge and skills that are similar to those applied in the occupations listed. These findings suggest that the researchers recommend that application and applicabilityof courses be clearly explained along with other objectives of the courses in the training. With a target of preparing the potential NDAT Graduate to develop flair for aspects of the training leading to practice, specialty and employment has assumed calls for need to increase a graduates’ chance by being multi skilled, or even trans- Occupational, might well be considered and attitude of the graduate must radiate dignity of labour and humility.