The polytechnic education is backed by law establishing a separate entity to deal with skills acquisition in various field of endeavour especially related to vocation. It aims among other things to help create an answer to the need of the country’s technological advancement and to provide the capable manpower for the nations industries and to equip the students with skills acquisition for sustainable development. This paper examines the role of polytechnic education and skills acquisition; its challenges and prospects. The paper will also find out if polytechnic education is the key to skill acquisition in a nation where the youths are unemployed at the same time show whether the polytechnic education is achieving this mandate for which it was created for.

1. POLYTECHNIC EDUCATION AND SKILLS
ACQUISITION: CHALLENGES AND
PROSPECTS
BY
ZAINAB IBRAHIM CIROMA
THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC DAMATURU
SCHOOL OF GENERALAND REMEDIAL STUDIES
P.M.B 1006.DAMATURU, YOBE STATE.
EMAIL:zainabic209@gmail.com
TELEPHONE NUMBER;08032887768
PRESENTED AT THE 2ND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ICESD 2016
AT THE SAN DIEGO HOTELABAKALIKI ON THE 27TH -28TH JULY,
2016.

2. ABSTRACT
 The polytechnic education is backed by law establishing a separate entity to
deal with skills acquisition in various field of endeavour especially related
to vocation. It aims among other things to help create an answer to the need
of the country’s technological advancement and to provide the capable
manpower for the nations industries and to equip the students with skills
acquisition for sustainable development.
 This paper examines the role of polytechnic education and skills
acquisition; its challenges and prospects. The paper will also find out if
polytechnic education is the key to skill acquisition in a nation where the
youths are unemployed at the same time show whether the polytechnic
education is achieving this mandate for which it was created for.

3. INTRODUCTION
 Busayo defines technical education as a subsector of the educational sector
which is designed to impart knowledge and necessary skills in order to
provide competent and well skilled manpower for industrial and
technological development. It is structured to be technical, scientific,
educational, practical and research oriented. Rapid increase in technological
advancement around the globe has accentuated the indispensability of
technical education.
 The importance of polytechnic education is twofold; it aims to bridge the gap
between theory and practical and of course to provide employment for skilled
technicians. Nigeria is yet to enjoy these benefits due to nonchalant attitude
of government and the private sector. Funding has been rather poor and
generally there is no support for our youths who have the technical know
how. The polytechnics whether federal, or state have slowly murdered the
institutions by not utilising the manpower available and equipments meant to
teach the students.

4.  Ballinger and Lalwani also indicated that it offers an opportunity for
students to personally practice the theoretical models in the classroom to
enhance their chances of securing employment after graduation. They are to
serve the middle-level manpower management needs of the country in the
drive towards industrialization.
 Ojerinde in his paper titled “polytechnic education in Nigeria: prospects and
relevance insist that polytechnic education is the answer to technological
advancement. He believes that if the policy on technical skills is adopted,
the polytechnic education would help in providing manpower to the nations
industries and firms. In recent times the fall of oil prices has gingered the
government to find new ways of stabilising the economy, diversifying from
oil to non oil sector. This is where the technician comes in. With his
knowledge of machines and chemicals, he can make a huge impact on other
sectors in the economy. The national policy on education categorically states
that the goals of technical education shall be among others to:

5.  Provide trained manpower in applied science, technology and commerce
particularly at sub professional grades.
 Provide the technical knowledge and vocational skills necessary for
agricultural, industrial, commercial and economic development.
 Give training and impact necessary skills leading to the production of
craftsmen, technicians and skilled personnel who will be enterprising and
self –reliant.

6.  The fact is that polytechnic education trains technicians in various skills, it
becomes pertinent to know what skill acquisition is;
 Skill acquisition is a specific form of learning. According to the Encarta
dictionary 2009, a skill is seen as ability to do something well, usually
gained through training or experience. Skill acquisition on the other hand
involves the development of a new skill, practice or a way of doing things
usually gained through training or experience.
The importance of skills acquisition cannot be over emphasized because its
role in national development are multi dimensional but of particular
mention are the elimination of hunger and poverty, elimination of
unemployment and reduction of crime through effective engagement of
youths.

7. CHALLENGES FACING THE POLYTECHNIC
EDUCATION
 In every situation there are bound to be challenges. This is a fact of life.
The challenges of polytechnic education and skill acquisition are numerous.
Firstly, lack of certainty in the polytechnic system. It is quite obvious that
most polytechnics lack the commitment to pursue a practice base
curriculum because of lack of qualified staff or lack of machinery to do the
practical.
 Secondly, the private sector is not contributing their quarter in the
polytechnic education. They usually don’t employ polytechnic graduates
neither do they encourage their creative work. The key to development is
achievable if and when the private sector supports polytechnic education.

8.  Thirdly, a major stake holder in the polytechnic education and skills
acquisition is the government. It is quite obvious to note that the
government knows the important role played in establishing a law that
caters for the training of technicians in the sciences and social sciences
where there is hope for the countries industries and to create employment.
But this has been a far dream. Due to lack of transparency, neglect,
corruption ,the dream has been shattered into tiny fragments. But there is a
ray of hope in the not distant future. The dwindling oil prices have forced
the government to have a critical look at other avenues of stabilising and
diversifying the economy.

9. PROSPECTS OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND SKILLS
ACQUISITION
 The Student: Education as we all know is meant to effect a change in
behaviour and this enables the student to get skills that will keep them
occupied or learn how they can earn a living. It provides the required
manpower to run the industries that will sustain the economy and resolve
the over dependence of the country on foreign goods and services.
 The Government- No one derives the benefit more than the government. In
this decade of uncertainty the attention should be geared towards improving
the lot of Nigerians by creating employment and what better way than to
harness and encourage polytechnic education. Emphasis must be on skill
acquisition so that at the end of their study, students will be able to stand on
their own.
 The Economy- The economy is in dire need of resuscitation. Small scale
industries, car garage mechanics, electrician etc contribute in their own
little way to the economy. Investing in polytechnic education is the right
and only thing to do. The diversification from oil revenue is a welcome
development to open up other sectors in the economy. Funding and
fulfilling the needs of the polytechnics in Nigeria should be a priority for
government and all stake holders.

10.  The polytechnic community- the polytechnic community comprises the academic
area, registry, clinic, lecture theatres, classrooms, boys and girls hostel, staff houses
(academic and non academic)commercial area and vast land for development. The
community needs to create a set up that shows practical example of how to use the
skills acquired in the school. For example the civil engineer can construct houses or
shops and be graded for it. What I mean is to make it a course that has to be done by
every student in civil engineering. So the estate managers, they can landscape the
school environment. Those in science laboratory technology can help in diagnosing
diseases, provide health care at a minimal level, those in business management can
make a market and deal with people in the school and outside the school. This will
teach them what to do, thereby enhancing productivity.
 COMMUNITY SERVICE. At the state level, graduates from the polytechnics
should venture into community service in their states. They can also train other
youths who have interest in skill acquisition because not everyone is opportune to
get education. They can also practice what they have been thought in the community
by occupying the markets, local industries and even creating their own space to do
well in their community. There are so many markets especially the social medium
platform. It’s an open market on line where you can advertise, promote, buy and
sell. The technician will derive a lot of opportunities and in return upgrade his
standard of living and his community as well.

11. CONCLUSION
 The spotlight is on technical education which trains and produces skilled
manpower for the manufacturing, building construction, entrepreneurs etc
to diversify the economy and create employment for the youths. The
neglect of this very important tertiary institution will not augur well for the
government and private sector. There is need to pay special attention to
practice based education to resuscitate and enable industries to function at
their optimum level. Nigeria should shy away from the dependence on
foreign goods and look inwards to their home grown products where the
possibility of keeping youths occupied and channelling their strength into
fruitful ventures. Upgrading the polytechnic education in the digital age
will hasten competition in a global market and make Nigeria self sufficient.
The time is now; technical education must be given upmost priority for
rapid and sustainable development.

12. REFERENCES
 Aina, J. K. Ogundele, A. G, Olanipekun, S. S. “Students
proficiencies in English language relationship with academic
performance in science and technical education’. American
journal of educational research,No 9.PP 355-358.January
2014.
 Ajibade, A. More graduates, less skills. November 2009.
[online]available:http://www.skill/com dated 30/11/2009.
 Amaniamping, kwarteng. Importance of Polytechnic
Education and the challenges it faces”.www.graphic.com.gh