Preparedness of Welders with Formal and Informal Training to Handle Structural Construction Jobs in Nigeria
Benedict Iorzer Labe &Terzungwe Alaghde
Department of Vocational and Technical Education
Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State-Nigeria
Email: blabe@bsum.edu.ng
Corresponding Author: Benedict Iorzer Labe
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the level of preparedness of welders with formal and informal training to handle structural construction jobs in Benue State, Nigeria. To achieve the objective, six research questions were developed and answered while four null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study used cross-sectional survey research design that made use of a 39 item structured questionnaire. The population for the study consisted of 286 structural welders drawn from six major towns in Benue State, Nigeria. The structured questionnaire was face and content validated by three experts. The scale reliability of items in the questionnaire was found to have a Cronbach Alfa α = .759. The questionnaire was administered on a sample of 286 respondents. Data was analyzed using percentage, mean and standard deviation while t-test was used to test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed that both skilled and unskilled structural welders are involved in the construction works. The conclusion was that majority of the structural welders handling structural works in Benue State had not undergone the minimum duration of practical training. They had low educational qualification, low mathematical skills to work out measurements, could hard read or interpret technical/engineering drawing. They also lacked the relevant theoretical knowledge in welding. Based on the findings of this study, some recommendations were made which include legislation requiring structural welders to be certified after undergoing a certain minimum period of formal training before they could be allowed to practice.
