By Dem, Isaiah Ihom
The emergence of emerging technologies in automobile industry has necessitated the need for new skill acquisition by automobile teachers teaching in technical colleges. The general purpose of this study was to identify and determine the skill needs of automobile teachers in teaching emerging technologies in technical colleges in Benue state. Five specific purposes were drawn and based on them. Five research questions were formulated based on related areas of old skills in automobile, ICT skill, pedagogical skill and how these skills can be acquired. Expert’s opinions on areas of skill needs in related areas of emerging technologies were drawn. Theories related to the study were also included as well as related empirical studies. Descriptive survey research design was chosen to guide the study. The area of study is Benue state of Nigeria. 36 subjects made up of automobile teachers teaching in 8 technical colleges and a basic skill acquisition center located in rural and urban areas responded to the 102 items designed in a questionnaire to answer the research questions. The entire population was studied. Three experts face validated the contents of instrument. Cronbach Alpha coefficient reliability of 0.939 was established for the instrument. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions while the two hypothesis formulated for the study and tested at 0.05 level of significance were analyzed using t-test statistics. The findings of the study revealed that automobile teachers teaching in technical colleges in Benue state possessed skills in maintenance and repairs of motor vehicle based on old system of detecting and rectification of faults through trial and error process but lack skills in ICT and diagnostic process on emerging technology vehicles to effectively maintain and repair them. The findings also revealed that automobile teachers in technical colleges need further training for skill acquisition in emerging technology vehicle especially on operating and servicing of computerized components and systems. Base on the findings, some recommendations were made, one of which is that automobile teachers teaching in technical colleges should be trained for skill in ICT and emerging Technologies so as to be able to teach in technical colleges in Benue state effectively.