Browsing by Author "Akunda, Timothy"

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An Exploration Of The Factors Affecting Skills Development Amongst Trainees Of Building And Civil Engineering In Technical And Vocational Institutions In Uganda
(Journal of Research & Method in Education (IOSR-JRME), 2024-10-27) Akunda, Timothy; Ouma, Peter; Wanjala, Kerre Bonaventure
The study explored the factors affecting skills development amongst trainees of building and civil engineering in Technical and Vocational institutions in Uganda. Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) involves studying technologies and science, offering the youth opportunity to acquire skills, attitudes, and knowledge in various occupations to match with the world of work. The study was guided by the research question; ‘What are the factors affecting skills development amongst trainees of building and civil engineering in Technical and Vocational institutions of Uganda’? The study adopted cross-sectional analytical type of design. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews, from 317 trainees, trainers, lecturers, instructors, managers of industries, technicians and heads of department in building and civil engineering sector. The quantitative data collected was coded and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), while the qualitative data was analyzed thematically. It was concluded that: Level of education of trainers, Training facilities, are considered significant factors because they are above average mean of 4.39. Formative and summative evaluation of trainees on industrial training by industry and institutions’ supervisors, are significant factors because of their categorization of workers in industry. The study also identified challenges such as curriculum misalignment, lack of modern infrastructure, and financial constraints. It was therefore recommended that practical work, be aligned with constructivist principles, be emphasized for hands-on in order to match with world of work requirements. It was also recommended that institutions should conduct regular evaluations of training methods to gauge effectiveness of training on skills development amongst trainees building and civil engineering sector. Also adopt flexible approaches to accommodate diverse learning preferences, recognizing that trainees may have different perceptions of effective learning methods that could improve their training on skills development. TVET institutions should encourage collaboration with industry partners to foster close collaboration. TVET institutions should focus on modernizing the equipment and tools to match with curricula to keep pace with technological advancements.
Improving the use of wood shavings and sawdust as an environmental friendly alternative source of energy
([Kyambogo university(unpublished work], 2016-12) Akunda, Timothy
This research project was carried out to improve the management of wood shavings and sawdust at Civil and Building Engineering Department, Kyambogo University (CBED). The objectives of the study were to: identify the current methods of disposing off wood shavings and sawdust at CBED, Kyambogo University; assess the environmental safety problems facing the Department of CBE arising from wood shavings and sawdust from Carpentry and Joinery Workshop; establish the methods of management of wood shavings and sawdust in selected workshops in Kampala and propose solution to problems facing the Department of CBE arising from wood shavings and sawdust from carpentry and joinery workshops in Kyambogo University. A survey was conducted in ten selected workshops in Kampala underpin this study in order to establish the management of wood shavings and sawdust in Carpentry and Joinery Workshops. Questionnaires, interview and observation were the major instruments used for data collection. The findings of the study indicated that: Heaping of wood shavings and sawdust was the most serious problem followed by Burning in open space, leaving to decompose and the use of closed dustbins were the current methods being used to dispose off wood shaving and sawdust at CBED, Kyambogo University. Littering, bad smell, skin and eye problems were among the environmental and health problems arising from wood shavings and sawdust at Carpentry and Joinery workshop, Kyambogo University. Selling, poultry, piggery and mulching were the methods of managing wood shavings and sawdust used in the selected workshops in Kampala. Briquette making was proposed by the researcher as the best proposed solutions of improving the management of wood shaving and sawdust at CBED, Kyambogo University. It was concluded that burning in open space was the major current method of disposing wood shavings and sawdust; heaping and bad smell were the major environmental problem arising from sawdust; selling wood shaving and sawdust were done by majority of workshops and briquettes making was the best proposed solution for improving the management of wood shaving and sawdust. It was recommended that: University management needs to embrace and support this research project of making briquettes from wood shavings and sawdust when training students in order to minimize the environmental degradation and health problems arising from the Carpentry and Joinery workshop at CBED, Kyambogo University. Management further needs to put in place appropriate methods of disposing off wood shavings and sawdust like selling, taking it to the farm to be used as feeds for piggery and poultry in the University farm and the management need to provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and ensure that they are properly used by the people using the Carpentry and Joinery workshop. Key words: wood shavings and sawdust; management; environmental degradation; healthy problems.