MAKEOVER OF LEARNING FACTORS IN NIGERIA PUBLIC TECHNICAL COLLEGES FOR EFFECTIVE SKILL ACQUISITION, YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The paper examined the relationship among learning factors, effective skill acquisition, youth employment and sustainable national development. The acquisition of effective skills by graduates of technical colleges is the bedrock for meeting the need of today’s labor market that requires innovation and total turn around in the areas of science and technology, youth employment, self-reliance , job creation, economic diversification, strong economy and social development. The identified factors necessary for sustainable national development and to a large extent require the availability of sufficient, relevant and adequate physical, human and financial resources. As one of the strong factors that positively support the well-being of the present and future generations of a nation, both developed and developing countries seriously need sustainable development. However, it is a matter of concern that the number and quality of the present physical and human resources in most of the public Technical Colleges in Nigeria and the present seemingly low funding by the proprietors are such that lack capabilities for enhancing effective skill acquisition of the beneficiaries of this level of education; majority of whom are youths. Therefore, the paper recommends that both federal and state governments should ensure massive and urgent rehabilitation of all the existing physical facilities, procurement of new ones, re-engineering, regular re-training and supervision of the available teaching and non-teaching personnel, timely employment of every category of staff to cater for the present shortage and significant increase in funding.