Published Article

This research explored underwater welding training skills for youths’ self-reliance in Akwa Ibom State. The focus of the study was to determine the wet underwater welding training skills and dry underwater welding training skills needed by youth in Akwa Ibom State for self-reliance. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was made up of 96 fabrication/welding teachers and 42 underwater welding technicians making the total of 138 staff from both the oil and gas industries and technical colleges in Akwa Ibom State. The sample size for the study was 69; comprising 48 fabrication/welding teachers and 21 underwater welding technicians representing 50% which were selected through simple random technique. Data was collected through the instrument titled Underwater Welding Training Skills for Youth Self-Reliance Questionnaire (UWTSYSQ). The instrument was validated by three lecturers in the Faculty of Educations, University of Uyo and was adjudged reliable based on the reliability index of 0.84 for fabrication and welding teachers and 0.86 for underwater welding technicians. Mean and independent t-test statistics were used to analyze the data obtained. The findings from the study reveal that there are no significant differences between the responses of fabrication/welding teachers in Technical College and underwater welding technicians in Akwa Ibom State on wet underwater welding skills and dry underwater welding skills. In view of the findings from this study, recommendations were made among others that the National Board for Technical Education should develop curriculum that suit the needs of the environment where the institution is sited. Also, private institutions in Akwa Ibom State should offer courses like underwater welding since underwater welding is a crucial aspect of oil and gas exploration most especially when it is explored off-shore.