Despite having workshops, students at Government Technical College (GTC) Iseyin say their practical training falls short, leaving them ill-prepared to compete in today’s job market.
The students have called on the government and school management to improve practical training facilities to better equip them for the demands of the modern labour market.
Originally established in Igboora, in Oyo State’s Ibarapa region, the college was relocated in 2006 to Oluwole Layout, Iseyin, adjacent to the Local Government Secretariat. It is one of five government technical colleges in Oyo State and remains a vital centre for technical and vocational education in the region.
GTC Iseyin offers 12 departments including Painting and Decoration, Electrical Installation and Maintenance, Computer Craft Studies, Catering Craft, Business Studies, and Motor Vehicle Mechanics. Students attend theoretical lessons in well-equipped classrooms while practical sessions take place in workshops and laboratories. Class sizes range from 10 to 40, allowing close interaction between instructors and learners.
Despite the facilities, students have expressed concerns about the inadequate practical training provided. Speaking anonymously, one student told The Nigeria Education News:
“Our teachers are hardworking and dedicated, but the level of practical exposure we receive is insufficient to make us fully job ready without further training.”
Another student added:
“Those who learn trades informally outside the school often have better practical skills than we do.”
The students’ concerns come amid recent efforts by the Oyo State government to enhance technical education. In October 2024, Governor Seyi Makinde announced a partnership with the Finnish government to refurbish technical colleges across the state, including GTC Iseyin. The initiative aims to tackle youth unemployment by upgrading vocational education infrastructure and aligning training with industry needs.
At a public event, Governor Makinde said:
“We are committed to revitalising technical education in Oyo State by providing modern equipment and fostering partnerships that enhance practical skills training.”
The refurbishment plans are set to begin with allocations in the 2025 state budget, underscoring the government’s dedication to strengthening vocational education.
At the national level, Professor Idris Bugaje, Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), emphasised the importance of vocational skills. He stated:
“Every Nigerian graduate must acquire at least one vocational skill. That is how we create not just job seekers, but job creators.”
Nigeria currently has 159 government technical colleges: 19 federal, 137 state, and three private institutions.
Yet, a significant skills gap persists, with youth unemployment exceeding 40 percent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Industry leaders frequently report challenges finding candidates with adequate practical competencies.
Recently, President Bola Tinubu approved the release of ₦120 billion to the Federal Ministry of Education to advance the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) agenda. The funding aims to empower at least 650,000 youths with technical, vocational, and digital skills vital for emerging industrial and labour demands. The programme also includes incentives such as monthly stipends, starter packs, and take-off grants to encourage enrolment in TVET institutions.
With both federal and state governments investing in refurbishing and promoting technical colleges nationwide, there is an urgent need to ensure these schools provide the practical training students require. It would be counterproductive if informal apprentices around town offer better hands-on experience than government-owned institutions.
Attracting students to technical colleges is not enough; the quality and value of practical training must be enhanced to produce graduates who are job creators and competitive in the labour market.
Only then can Government Technical College Iseyin fully realise its vision of producing competent, job-ready graduates capable of contributing meaningfully to the economic development of Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
