The Effect of Work-Based Learning on the Acquisition of Technical Skills amongst Mechanical Engineering Students in National Polytechnics in Western Kenya Region
Keywords:
Work Based Learning,, Technical Skills,, Methods,, Mechanical Engineering,, Western KenyaAbstract
The right approach to teaching and evaluation of practical subjects in technical
colleges is crucial in imparting practical skills and adequate creative power to
students in order to meet the requisite human resource skills needed in achieving
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 2016-2030), through Technical and
Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Teaching methods can affect
acquisition of technical skills by mechanical engineering students in national
polytechnics. The study determined the effect of work-based learning on
acquisition for mechanical engineering students in national polytechnics in
Western Kenya Region. An explanatory research design was used and random
samples was used to sample mechanical engineering trainees (248) and trainers
(66) in 3 (Kisii, Kisumu, Sigalagala) national polytechnics in western Kenyan
region. Data was collected using structured questionnaires which were selfadministered. Data was analyzed by use of both inferential and descriptive
statistics using SPSS version 25.0. Results of multiple regressions revealed that
work-based learning affected acquisition of technical skills in mechanical
engineering in national polytechnics. There was a positive significant effect of
67.1% in acquisition of technical skills with a beta value of 0.178 for work-based
learning. The findings imply that national polytechnics should embrace a worked
based learning methods complemented by other approaches such as virtual
learning and computer aided learning and proactively formulate policies and
resources which support the teaching methods above in order to improve
acquisition of technical skills among mechanical engineering students.
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