Strategies Required to improve Students’ Industrial Training Program between Local Businesses and Technical Colleges in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract
Purpose: The aim of the study was to identify the strategies required in improving industrial training programs between local businesses and Technical colleges in Enugu State in Nigeria. Approach/Methodology/Design: Three Research questions and hypotheses guided the study. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study was 125 students from Government Technical College Enugu and Government Technical College in Nsukka, 23 owners of local businesses in Enugu state, 35 teachers from Government Technical College Enugu and Government Technical College in Nsukka and 10 co-coordinators from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Enugu State. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The reliability co-efficiency of the instrument was found to be 0.83. Data collected were analyzed using mean for the research questions, while the null hypotheses were tested using Independent sample t-test at 0.05 level of significance. Findings: Based on the findings, recommendations were made among which are; Local businesses should liaise with technical colleges to fashion out a suitable industrial training program that will improve students’ experience. More funds should be provided by Government to improve the industrial training program. Practical Implications: The study will contribute positively to the understanding of industrial training program in technical colleges. Originality/value: This study innovates by suggesting strategies to improve the industrial training program between local businesses and technical colleges.