Application of Metalwork Technology Education Skills in the Fabrication of Vertical Palm Kernel Nut Cracking Machine

Abstract

The study examined the role of Vocational Skills in the construction of a Vertical Palm Kernel nut cracking machine. Descriptive research design was used. The population was Nineteen (19), which comprises of Five (5) instructors and Fourteen (14) NO 2 Mechanical Engineering Students of Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State. The whole 19 was also used as the sample because it is relatively small; a questionnaire titled “Application of Vocational Skills in the Fabrication of Vertical Palm Kernel Nut Cracking Machine Questionnaire (AVSFVPKNCMQ)” was used for the data collection. Five research questions and hypothesis were raised for the study. Mean and standard deviation was used to analyze the data collected while t-fest was used to test the two-null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that Vocational Skills such as Measuring Filling Cutting, Welding and Assembling are needed by students for the fabrication of the Vertical Palm Kernel nut cracking Machine. It also revealed the problems associated with cracking and supply-demand gap of Palm Kernel. It was therefore, recommended that government and Private Fabricating Firms should go into full production of cracking machines to aid in mass production of cracked shells and nuts from palm fruits to meet the needs of Pharmaceutical, Cosmetics as well as Food Processing Industries.