Improvising resources to enhance practical training in metal machining and fitting section at jinja vocational training institute

Abstract

This action research aimed at improvising resources to enhance practical training in Metal Machining and Fitting (MMF) section at Jinja Vocational Training Institute (JVTI). To achieve the aim, various research questions were formulated which centered on factors affecting practical training at Jinja Vocational Training Institute ( JVTI ), and possible strategies to improvise resources for practical training in Metal Machining and fitting ( MMF) section, at Jinja Vocational Training Institute ( JVTI ), and the impact of the improvised resources to enhance practical training. The study used descriptive research design and purposive sampling to select the respondents from Jinja Vocational Training Institute (JVTI.). The method of data collection included interviews, participant observation, focus group discussion and future workshops. The data collected was analyzed and presented under themes following research objectives. The preliminary phase involved identifying factors affecting practical training in Metal Machining and Fitting Section (MMF) section at Jinja Vocational Training Institute (JVTI). The finding revealed quite a number of factors of which lack of practical training resources emerged as the most outstanding. Together with the stake holders causes of lack of practical training resources were identified, solutions to causes were generated, implemented and evaluated. These included among others the use of timber off cuts from carpentry workshop, Plastic off cuts from plumbing workshop, metal scraps from Metal Machining and Fitting Section (MMF) and Welding and Metal Fabrication (W/F) workshops and past practical examination materials to be used for practical training. The results revealed that lack of practical training resources denied the students from getting the practical training they deserved. It was strongly recommended that using improvised resources should be emphasized for the students to continue have practical exercise when practical lessons are on. Students should always be on the alert to pick any material which can improvise training resources and use it for workshop practice.