Why proper training is important for mechanics…

If you have ever experienced car trouble, you understand the importance of mechanics. They have the unique ability to diagnose and fix most problems with automobiles on the road today. To be a successful mechanic, proper training is crucial.

The nightmare of an average Nigerian motorist today is the dearth of skilled mechanics.  Growing up, I vividly recall the availability of a vast number of students and graduates of government technical colleges to engage in various technical jobs. They possessed the requisite skills to get the job done.

These graduates dominated various technical fields. There was never a shortfall of plumbers, masons, welders, carpenters, metal fabricators and electricians. Many of them rose to become the middle class and some even joined the upper-middle class.

Teacher training colleges were the go-to place for recruiting primary school teachers; cooperative colleges, were there to feed the finance industry at the entry-level and the other monotechnics were the fertile ground for their various industries.

We simply moved on as a nation and focused on making people without university degrees look or feel inferior. Don’t get me wrong. University education is a good aspiration and an amazing way to open people’s minds to critical thinking and windows of opportunities for development.

Every society needs professors, doctors, lawyers, engineers, broadcasters, architects and other professionals to function and develop.

It, however, also needs artisans, such as mechanics, plumbers, masons, tailors, electricians and carpenters to sustain itself.

How societies adapt will play a key role in how competitive and how stable they are. The biggest wins from new technology will go to societies; that doesn’t just double down on the past, but can adapt and direct their citizens towards the industries that are growing.

It is clear that for any economy to be successful in the near future, the workforce must be able to respond by effectively communicating, applying knowledge, and creative problem-solving skills.

Students today, will need to be equipped with skills that will be used to efficiently use resources effectively and harness our collective intelligence, in creative responsiveness.

Isn’t it ironic that the fate of an average professor’s car is expected to be determined by the ‘never-do-well’ mechanic that was condemned to the profession by virtue of his poor academic performance?

We must strive to have the best artisans!

Here is what I propose:

1. There should be multiple paths to getting children educated, which includes vocational and university studies.
2. Government recognition and certification of professions as well as regulation of the rights, duration, profiles, minimum requirements, syllabus, and examination requirements.
3. From Grade 6, students should be placed on either path based on, teachers‘ recommendation, parents’ testing, academic achievement and students aspiration.
4. There should be a three-year period to allow transition between the paths for students that are unsure.
5. For those on the path to vocational education, they should take standard academic subjects, such as a major Nigerian language, English language and French, to enable us to integrate properly with other West African countries, economics, science, civic education and vocationally oriented skills that rely on practical problem-solving.
6. Following the completion of the mandatory academic programme, students should enter into the full vocational programme and combine workplace experience with formal schooling. Student should spend three to four days in their selected industry and one or two days in the classroom, for support classes such as communication skills, writing skills, workplace ethics, time management, and mathematics.
7. Successful completion should earn them a certificate issued by the government, in collaboration with the relevant industry regulator. This should enable the student to continue in that career path or higher education in a given field.
8. Those on the vocational education path, for their apprenticeship, the students are to market themselves to the companies that will take them in. They would receive a stipend from the employer. Practical workplace experience based on industry standards is the key.
9. Students leaving secondary schools should be career-ready and university ready at the same time.

Finally, this system is reviewed regularly to ensure its objectives are being met.

Mechanics who have gone through proper training are more likely to be skilled in all aspects of auto repair. Since mechanics must be able to constantly adapt to changing technology and repair techniques, training in these areas is needed to be successful.

Since we will always need cars, we will always need experienced mechanics to fix them. Essentially, there will always be a need for well-trained mechanics. Companies searching for mechanics look for individuals with strong communication skills as well as analytical skills. They must also have knowledge of how different automobiles work and how to repair them properly. Individuals who have gone through auto repair training courses are more likely to be chosen over those who have not had proper training.

Auto repair technician training isn’t just about learning how to fix vehicles. Trainees should learn good customer service skills as they will often have to discuss details with customers regarding problems found and repairs needed. They will also learn how to be detail-oriented in all aspects of auto repair.

If you are thinking about becoming a mechanic, proper training is a must. With a working knowledge of electronics and mathematics as well as great customer service skills, you are sure to have good opportunities in the auto repair field.