ABSTRACT
The study was carried out to investigate the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for effective maintenance of modern automobile in Plateau State. Survey research design was used for the study. The population for the study was 65 practicing automobile technicians and 14 lecturers/instructors from Federal College of Education (FCE) Pankshin and Plateau State Polytechnic (PSP) Barakin Ladi. A structured questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Three research questions and three null hypotheses aided the study. Cronbach alpha method was used to determine the reliability coefficient of the instrument which yielded 0.85. Weighted mean and improvement needed index (INI) was used to analyze the data for answering the research questions while t-test statistic was used to test the hypotheses of no significant difference at
0.05 level of significance. It was found that automobile technicians need improvement in twenty seven skills for servicing modern automobile engine and
its support systems, thirteen skills for diagnosing faults in modern automobile
engine and its support systems and nine skills for repairing faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems. The study also found that: (i) there
was no significant difference between the mean responses of
lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for servicing the modern automobile engine and its support systems (ii) there was no significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education, and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on skills improvement needs by the automobile technicians for diagnosing faults in modern automobile engine and its support systems (iii) there was no significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education, and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on skills improvement needs by the automobile technicians for repairing faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems. It was recommended that all the automobile technicians should be retrained on how to service, diagnose faults and repair all kinds of modern automobiles; it was also recommended that government and individuals should donate modern tools and equipment to automobile technicians in the study area.
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study
The responsibilities of the automobile technician in the maintenance sector have evolved from simple mechanical repair work to a high-level technology-related work as a result of the complexities of technological innovation on the modern automobile. Today, integrated electronic devices, systems and complex computers regulate and enhance the operation and control of modern automobile engine and all other systems that make it work (Bellis, 2010).
Automobile comprises wheeled vehicles of diverse shapes and capacity, controlled by a driver, used for the transportation of people and goods from one place to another; they include cars, buses, trucks and all categories of motor vehicles on the public roads in Nigeria and the whole world over. Giri,(2010) defined Automobile (automotive or motor vehicle)
as a self-propelled vehicle used for transportation of goods and passengers
on land. Odigiri (2010) explained that Automobile is a generic term for a self-propelled, trackless, personal or public carrier that encompasses passenger cars, recreational vehicles, taxis and buses used to transport people in cities, on highways or across country. Erjavec (2004) and Giri (2010) asserted that because of many years of pioneering research and
development, modern automobile has evolved as a complex piece of machinery, which incorporates dependable mechanical, electrical and electronic devices that enable it to perform in a safe, economical and efficient manner. The modern automobile is thus today’s motor vehicle with so many computerised complex technological innovations for safe, economical and efficient performance.
The Nigeria automobile industry is made up of few automobile assembly plants like Anambra Motor Company (ANAMMCO) Enugu, Peugeot Assembly Nigeria (PAN) Kaduna, R.T. Brisco Lagos and a few others, and out of these only PAN Kaduna is wobbling on its own feet (Musa, 2010). Other sectors of this industry are automobile merchandise, transportation, spare parts dealership/sales and maintenance. Thus automobile maintenance sector in Nigeria is one of the major automobile industries since most of the modern vehicles are imported into the country and they have to be maintained for satisfactory and optimal utility. Abah (2010) noted that the ability of the Nigerian automobile technician to maintain this modern fleet of imported vehicles will boost the country’s conservation of foreign exchange that would have gone into foreign countries for the importation of expatriate skills. Being the lifeline of the automobile maintenance industry in Nigeria, Automobile technicians are
expected to have skills and to be knowledgeable in modern automobile
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technology and tools in order to be able to effectively carry out maintenance work on all parts, a variety of automobile models or may specialise in specific areas such as repairs of components, systems or body; they can be self-employed or employed by automobile manufacturing industry and auto fleet maintenance sections of ministries, institutions, transport companies and the likes of these. Osuala (2004) refers to a technician as a worker whose job requires knowledge and the use of scientific and mathematical theory. Wyman (2007), describes a technician as somebody who is skilled in industrial techniques or in the practical application of science and technology. Rea (2010) describes a technician as a person trained or skilled in the technical details of a
particular art or science, especially one skilled at operating, maintaining, or
repairing equipment, in contrast to the theory or informational content of a craft.
In Nigeria the technician is a person who has completed two years training in any branch of science and technology in a Monotechnic, Polytechnic, college of technology or related institution; or an individual who has professional experience recognised as equivalent to the period of training (Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) 2004). In this context therefore, the automobile technician is a person trained and has the knowledge or professional experience in the skills and techniques related
to automobile technology and maintenance. The auto-technician thus specialises in automobile maintenance, and is expected to even make modifications on automobile components and can work in any branch of the automobile industry.
Maintenance is the specific approved steps and precautions one
takes to care for an equipment, machinery or facility which will ensure that such an item attains its optimal functional utility and lifespan (Olaitan,
Igbo, Ekong, Nwachukwu & Onyemachi, 1999). Harms, Kroon and Weigel
(2002) on the other hand see maintenance as the routine function that is carried out on industrial plants, equipment, and other machines including automobiles, in order to keep them in good operating condition. Abdullahi (2002) defined maintenance as an art of carrying out systematic supporting services on any device equipment or being which may involve the systematic supply of necessary materials for routine servicing (often referred to as routine/preventive maintenance), diagnoses and repairs of faults. Abdullahi further observed that the absence of, or improper maintenance leads to under-utility, failure or total breakdown. In the context of this study therefore, maintenance is all the tasks involved in routine care and all repairs, carried out on a vehicle whether major or minor, to keep it in safe working conditions in order to get the best out of it and prolong its lifespan. Effective maintenance is the modern accepted
standard practice which entails satisfactory servicing, exhaustive diagnoses of faults, satisfactory and complete repairs of any diagnosed faults (Wyman, 2007; Bellis, 2010; Giri, 2010). Maintenance on modern automobile can thus be grouped according to the tasks involved; these are servicing, diagnosing faults and repairing the diagnosed faults (Jain,
2010). Automobile technicians’ will thus need skills improvement in order to carry out effective maintenance on the modern automobile engine and its support systems.
Skill is expertness, practical ability, dexterity and tact in performing a task (Okorie, 2000). Skill also means the ability to do something well, usually gained through training and experience (Brickman, 2008). Osinem and Nwoji (2010) explained skill as a manifestation of acquired knowledge i.e. knowledge that is translated into practical activity. The authors further defined skill as the ability to perform an act expertly or that expertness, practiced ability, proficiency that a person displays in the performance of a task or well-established habit of doing something, which involves the acquisition of performance capability through repetitive performance of an operation. Skill is therefore the knowledge, ability, expertness or dexterity that a person acquires and is able to put into practice or to perform satisfactorily an expected task. The technician thus needs skills improvement in line with the modern acceptable standard tasks of
automobile maintenance outlined as servicing, diagnosing, and repairs of the modern automobile.
Servicing the modern automobile engine and its subsystems is a form of routine/preventive maintenance which is carried out periodically. Servicing involves inspection of components and systems, monitoring of performance, changing of some components before failure occurs as a result of poor performance, and lubrication-oil change (Abdullahi 2002). Automobile maintenance technicians carry out servicing in form of routine/preventive maintenance periodically. Erjavec (2004) points out that during this maintenance activity, they inspect systems and components for any wear or malfunction, they also carry out engine tune ups, lubrication service and replace or modify worn out parts before they cause
breakdowns which may result to damage of the vehicle and/or create unsafe conditions for the user(s); they accomplish these tasks usually by following a checklist, which comes along with the vehicle. The checklist is technical information which points out essential maintenance activities to be carried out on each component or system to ensure that they examine every critical part, particularly troublesome parts or areas (Ede 2001). Giri (2010) observed that lack of regular servicing on the modern automobile may lead to systems malfunction which could lead to underperformance or
total failure. If such a situation arises there will be need for diagnoses and repairs.
Diagnosing and repairing faults go hand in hand. Faults in the automobile engine and its support systems have to first be diagnosed before they can be effectively repaired. Giri (2010) observed in line with this that a fault or malfunction leads to failure or breakdown of the system; therefore, faults have to be diagnosed and repaired or fixed. The author further defined diagnosis as the process of determining and establishing exactly what the problem is when there is a breakdown, failure or malfunction. Automobile maintenance technicians are expected
to carry out these tasks which are indices of corrective maintenance, when it requires that they will need to diagnose i.e. determining the cause of operating errors in a system, localizing the errors and deciding what action to take; this is followed by repairs or fixing of such errors which are referred to as faults or defects; these could be minor or major repairs on a vehicle which is not performing satisfactorily or when it is completely broken down (Erjavec, 2004; Wyman, 2007; and Giri 2010). Repairs in general is a corrective measure which may involve minor or major overhauling of various components of a system when such components or system fail, perform below expectation or show a sign of imminent failure.
Writers like Abdullahi (2002), Erjavec (2004) and Giri (2010) refer to
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repairs as corrective maintenance. Abdullahi (2002) further asserts that repairs involve mending, rehabilitation and overhaul of the various components/systems. Erjavec (2004) noted that technicians use variety of modern diagnostic tools in their work and other common hand tools, to work on small parts and in hard-to-reach places. Technicians will therefore need skills improvement in order to diagnose faults on the automobile engine and it’s supporting systems in order to repair or fix the detected faults or defects.
The ability to improve skill and update technological knowledge is very necessary for the automobile technician to effectively maintain, the modern automobile with its many technological innovations and sophistication; however, these skills improvement needs have to be identified. This will agree with the assertion of Osinem and Nwoji (2010), that there is need for workers to acquire new training in order to acquire or develop skills to meet up with the challenges of the dynamisms of the features of modern technology, which involves development of new ideas, new tools, new equipment, new gadgets and new techniques of operation and production.
Statement of the Problem
The modern automobile maintenance industry is already becoming more than what the roadside mechanic can handle. The industry is daily becoming more technologically oriented with many computerised systems, thus making it more sophisticated. In addition to sophistication is the ceaseless influx of modern cars into the country. Abah (2010) stated that almost on a daily basis quite a number of new and fairly used vehicles (including the modern vehicles) are imported into the country.
The tasks expected of the automobile technician are to satisfactorily
service the automobile engine and its support systems, to exhaustively diagnose any faults, and to completely repair or fix any problem on the motor vehicle. The efficiency of the automobile technician will depend on the skills, knowledge, and understanding he possesses of the modern automobile and its technological innovations. Erjavec (2004) and Bellis (2010) have noted that the majority of the roadside mechanics lack the knowledge and are deficient in skills needed to fix anything right on the modern automobile. In fact, the modern automobile use highly computerised technological complex systems, which enhance and monitor the performance of the vehicle; however, the technicians seem to lack the corresponding knowledge and skills to carry out the maintenance tasks required of them.
Due to deficiency of maintenance skills, some technicians have caused more damages to their clients’ vehicles than repairs; some clients’ vehicles have overstayed at the maintenance shop for several months and in some cases, they are almost abandoned with no solution to the problem. This causes a lot of inconveniences, economic loses and regrets on the side of the clients. Inability of some of these technicians to
precisely fix most of these problems, have also caused accidents and vehicle breakdown on the highways leading to injuries which may either result in incapacitation or even fatality. Since Plateau State is an extraction of the society, it is reasonably assumed that the automobile technicians in Plateau state have deficiency in the skills needed for effective maintenance of modern vehicles and thus the need for improvement arises.
Purpose of the Study
The study aimed at investigating the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for effective maintenance of modern automobile in Plateau State. Specifically, the study seeks to determine the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for:
1. Servicing modern automobile engine and its support systems
2. Diagnosing faults in modern automobile engine and its support systems
3. Repairing faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems.
Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will be of benefit to the following: National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), National commission for colleges of Education (NCCE), formal and non formal vocational training organs and other skill acquisition and enhancement program sectors like the National Directorate for Employment (NDE), owners of modern automobiles,
owners of road transport business including travellers, the practicing automobile technicians and the society at large.
The NBTE and NCCE are the regulatory bodies for Monotechnic, Polytechnics and Colleges of education. They could use the findings from this study, if published, to prepare suitable training packages/modules for modern practices thus enhancing an effective automobile maintenance industry.
The findings of the study would also be of importance to formal and
non formal vocational training organs and other skill acquisition and enhancement program sectors like the National Directorate for Employment (NDE). The formal vocational training organs like technical
colleges, relevant technology training centres, monotechnics, polytechnics,
colleges of education (technical) will benefit if these skills are identified
and included in their training programme or curriculum. The curriculum will be used in the training to equip the student-trainee with adequate skills to handle the maintenance of modern automobile. The non formal vocational education like the apprenticeship system and the NDE could benefit by improving their skills in line with the identified skills with respect to the innovations in the modern automobile.
Owners of modern automobiles and owners of road transport businesses will benefit because their vehicles will be effectively maintained by skilled Nigeria technicians within the country. Many owners of modern vehicle encounter regrets due to poor maintenance, waste of time in repair garages, waste of resource without satisfactory results and in some cases more damages are encountered than maintenance (Bayo 2010). Effective maintenance will thus translate into a boost in the nation’s economy, since the vehicles will be put into gainful economic function. Besides, there will be no need to either park the vehicle or sponsor an expert technician from abroad for the repairs. Effective maintenance will prevent road accidents
on the high way as a result of vehicle breakdowns due to poor maintenance. Road travellers will therefore travel with more confidence and safety to their destinations.
Finally practicing automobile technicians will benefit from the study,
if published, by using it as reference point to improve their skills in line
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with innovations in automobile and thus creating a more global standard in the maintenance sector. A skilled automobile technician will effectively maintain modern automobiles; this will improve the entrepreneurial competencies of the auto-maintenance technicians thereby improving the socio-economy of the society. Skilled auto-technicians could confidently expand their services by establishing adequate auto-maintenance workshops at different locations in the country. These could also serve as training ground for prospective technicians at the
craftsman/apprenticeship level. An effective and entrepreneurial modern automobile maintenance network can be built on adequately equipped workshops with proper machinery, tools and other facilities, availability of spare parts and skilled technicians with adequate entrepreneurial competencies (KPMG 2008). It is obvious that an auto-maintenance workshop that provides effective maintenance and services will attract and retain more customers than one which renders poor services.
Research Questions
The study provided answer to the following research questions:
1. What are the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for servicing the modern automobile engine and its support systems?
2. What are the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for diagnosing faults in modern automobile engine and its support systems?
3. What are the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for
repairing faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems?
Hypotheses
The following null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance:
H01: There will be no significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education (Technical) and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for servicing the modern automobile engine and its support systems.
H02: There will be no significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education (Technical), and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for diagnosing faults in modern automobile engine and its support systems.
H03: There will be no significant difference between the mean responses of lecturers/instructors of automobile technology in Polytechnics/Colleges of Education (Technical), and practicing automobile technicians in Plateau State on the skills improvement needs of automobile technicians for repairing faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems.
Delimitation of the Study
The study was delimited to skills improvement needs of automobile technicians to perform modern accepted standard practice which entails satisfactory servicing, exhaustive diagnoses of faults, satisfactory and complete repairs of any diagnosed faults on modern automobile engine and its support systems in Plateau State of Nigeria.
This material content is developed to serve as a GUIDE for students to conduct academic research
SKILLS IMPROVEMENT NEEDS OF AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIANS FOR EFFECTIVE MAINTENANCE OF MODERN AUTOMOBILE IN PLATEAU STATE
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