Mechatronics Engineering Skills Needed for Graduates’ Employability in Oil and Gas Industries in Rivers State

Abstract

The study examines mechatronics engineering skills needed for graduates’ employability in oil and gas industries in Rivers State. The study was carried out in oil and gas industries in Rivers State. The study employs the descriptive research survey design. The population of the study was 41 mechatronics experts in oil and gas industries. Due to small population size, there was no sampling and sampling technique as all the entire population was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire tagged “Mechatronics Engineering Skills for Graduates’ Employ ability Questionnaire” which was design in the pattern of modified rating scale of Needed. The instrument was validated and tested for reliability. A reliability coefficient of 0.80 was established using Cronbach Alpha.Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of mean with standard deviation for research questions. The study found that mechanical engineering skills, electronic engineering skills and control engineering skills as components of mechatronics engineering are needed for graduates’ employability in oil and gas industries for sustainable national development. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that mechanical engineering curriculum should be upgraded to include fundamental skills in mechatronics engineering to enable graduates secure mechatronic related employment in oil and gas industries with qualification in mechanical engineering.