The Trends and Management of the Industrial Attachment at the Tamale Technical University, Ghana

Abstract

institution after satisfying the requirements specified in the Act, was upgraded to a Technical University in 2016. The University currently trains students up to Bachelor of Technology level with provisions to mount higher degree Programmes in the future (Tamale Technical University, 2018).One of the main objectives of the technical university under Act 745 of 2007 is to provide opportunities for skills development (Amankwa, 2011). To achieve this objective, the institutions of Technical and Vocational education adopted experiential learning technique which according to Adjei et al ( 2014) is the most efficient learning approaches employed in delivering effective technical and vocational education and training. Thus, Industrial Attachment (IA) became a compulsory 4-credit hour programme for all Level 100 Student of Diploma in Technology, Level 100and 200 HND students and all the Level 100 to 300 BTEC students. Skills development is best attained when the student is given an opportunity for a hands-on training through Industrial Attachment (Tamale Technical University, 2018). Thus, it is important for the University to pay serious attention to this component of the curriculum in order to produce graduates acceptable to industry in the name of maintaining standards as a Technical University.Industrial attachment at the polytechnics and the Technical Universities is generally coordinated and supervised under the mandate of the Liaison department. It involves the systematic placement of trainees in industry where they can be helped to acquire specific skills and competences relating to their area of study. It requires proper planning and effective supervision to achieve targeted results. The students are expected to sharpen their skills in the use of modern facilities and processes for work readiness. The attachment programme is categorized in several forms -Viz; General attachment for all students and members of staff; Internship for Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.) students; Competency -