Oluranti Mary Olufunke Aleem
In today’s rapidly changing job market, the importance of technical education cannot be overstated. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report (2019) highlights the transformative impact of technological advancements and automation on industries, requiring workers to acquire specialised skills to remain relevant. Technical education provides individuals with such specialised skills, practical knowledge and training necessary to excel in their chosen field, making them masters of their craft.
As a nation, Nigeria is grappling with the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and inequality. However, with a focus on technical education, we can empower our youths with the skills and knowledge required to drive economic growth and development. Technical education is not just a viable alternative to conventional education; it is a necessary step towards building a competitive and skilled workforce.
What is Technical Education?
Technical education, also known as vocational education, is a type of education that focuses on providing students with practical skills and training in a specific trade, occupation, or industry. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (2019), technical education is designed to equip individuals with the technical knowledge and expertise required to succeed in their chosen field.
In Nigeria, technical education is offered at various levels, including certificate, diploma, and degree programmes. Our polytechnics and technical colleges play a critical role in providing technical education and training to our youths. However, despite the importance of technical education, it remains underfunded and understaffed. As a nation, we need to prioritise technical education and provide our youth with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the 21st century.
The Value of Technical Education
Technical education offers numerous benefits over conventional education, including:
- Practical skills – Technical education provides students with hands-on training, enabling them to develop practical skills and apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios (World Bank, 2018).
- Job readiness – Technical education prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce, as they possess the specific skills and knowledge required by industries (National Center for Education Statistics, 2020).
- Specialisation – Technical education allows individuals to specialise in a particular field, increasing their expertise and value in the job market (ResearchGate, 2019).
- Mastery – Technical education enables individuals to become masters of their craft, equipped with the knowledge, skills, and expertise required to excel in their chosen field.
In addition to these benefits, technical education also provides individuals with a sense of purpose and fulfillment. When individuals are equipped with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in their chosen field, they are more likely to be motivated and productive.
Conventional Education vs. Technical Education
While conventional education provides a broad-based education, focusing on theoretical knowledge and academic achievement, technical education offers a more specialised and practical approach. Conventional education prepares individuals for a broader range of career options, whereas technical education prepares individuals for a specific career path, equipping them with the technical knowledge and expertise required to succeed.
In Nigeria, we need to strike a balance between conventional and technical education. While conventional education provides a solid foundation in theoretical knowledge, technical education provides the practical skills and training required to succeed in the workforce.
The Asian Tigers’ Secret to Success
Conventional vs technical education – this is the bedrock of the advancement and gigantic breakthroughs that the Asian tiger countries leverage on. Their backyard industries built on the Small scale technological backyard enterprises culminating to what we see today.
The Asian Tigers, comprising Taiwan, China, Singapore and South Korea, have demonstrated the transformative power of technical education. These nations have leveraged on technical education to drive economic growth, innovation, and industrialisation.
The Asian Tigers ‘ success story is rooted in their approach to education and entrepreneurship. They invested heavily in vocational education and training programmes, focusing on practical skills and hands-on training. They also encouraged entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in small-scale technological backyard enterprises.
In Taiwan, for instance, small-scale enterprises in the semiconductor industry drove innovation and growth, eventually leading to the emergence of global leaders like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and MediaTek.
Similarly, in China, small-scale technological enterprises in the renewable energy sector drove innovation and growth, eventually leading to China’s emergence as a global leader in renewable energy.
The Future of Work
As technological advancements and automation continue to transform industries, the demand for skilled workers with technical expertise will only continue to grow. According to the Pew Research Center (2020), workers with technical skills will be more adaptable and better equipped to thrive in a rapidly changing job market.
In Nigeria, we need to prepare our youths for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Technical education is critical to achieving this goal. By providing our youths with the practical skills and training required to succeed in the workforce, we can empower them to drive economic growth and development.
Conclusion
Technical education provides individuals with such needed specialised practical knowledge and training necessary to excel in their chosen field, thus making them masters of their craft. With its focus on practical skills, job readiness, specialisation, and mastery, technical education offers a huge unique set of values over conventional education.
As the job market continues to evolve, technical education will play an increasingly important role in preparing workers for the challenges and opportunities of the future. As a nation, we need to prioritise technical education and provide our youths with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the 21st century.
By doing so, we can empower our youths to drive economic growth and development, and build a brighter future for ourselves and generations to come.
The Way Forward
So, what’s the way forward for Nigeria? Firstly, we need to prioritise technical education, providing our youths with the practical skills and training required to succeed in the modern economy.
Secondly, we need to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in small-scale technological backyard enterprises. By doing so, we can drive innovation and growth, providing a platform for entrepreneurs and innovators to develop and refine their skills.
Lastly, we need to adopt a holistic approach to education, combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills and training. By doing so, we can empower our youths with the skills and knowledge required to drive economic growth and development.
Call to Action
As a nation, we must recognise the importance of technical education and provide support for our youths. We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to provide them with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the 21st century.
Let us work together to build a brighter future for Nigeria, driven by a skilled, innovative, and entrepreneurial workforce
*Mrs Oluranti Mary Olufunke Aleem is a lecturer at The Polytechnic, Imesi-Ile, Osun State, Nigeria, where she teaches The Use of English, Media Writing and Style. She holds a background in International Relations and Diplomacy. maryolufunke2812@gmail.com