Abstract:
One of the goals of Technical Vocational Education (TVE) according to National Policy on Education (NPE, 2004) is to give training and impart necessary skills to individuals who shall be self reliant economically. A major problem confronting TVE in Nigeria today is rooted in the failure of technical colleges to impart appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes to the students for gainful or self- employment upon graduation. The problem has been largely dependent on shortfall in training facilities (work shop, equipment, tools etc.) according to Olaitan et al (1999)and Okorie (2000), as well as imbalance between theory and practice (Akpan, 2003) among others. The research study developed a framework on cooperative education for enhancing skill acquisition of Radio, Television and Electronic work (RTVE) students of technical colleges in South Eastern States. Survey research design was adopted in carrying out of the study. Six research questions and three null hypotheses guided the study. A structured questionnaire with six sections was used as the instrument for data collection. It was validated by three experts who were not part of the study. The population consisted of a total of 221 respondents (27 electrical technology trade teachers in 8 state technical colleges and 194 staff of electrical / electronic engineering department in the broadcasting corporations) in Abia, Imo and Enugu States. The data collected were analyzed using mean ( ) and standard deviation to answer the research questions. The three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that cooperation between technical colleges and industries will enhance the acquisition of skills of technical college students in radio, television and electronic works. A systematic format is to be followed to guide the students both at school and on-the-job. Based on the findings, some implications of the study were indicated and appropriate recommendations made.
