Effect of Competency-Based Training on Graduate Employability in Automotive Technology in Lagos State Polytechnics

This study examines the effect of competency-based training on the employability of automotive technology graduates in polytechnics in Lagos State, South West Nigeria. Competency-based training aligns programme delivery and assessment with specific, measurable industry competencies, offering a direct pathway from education to employment. Despite growing advocacy for competency-based approaches in Nigerian TVET, empirical studies on their employment outcomes in automotive technology remain limited. A quasi-experimental design compares employability outcomes between graduates of competency-based training programmes and those from conventional programmes in two polytechnics in Lagos and Ikorodu local government areas. Employability is assessed using a validated employer rating scale and a graduate self-efficacy inventory administered 12 months post-graduation. Independent t-tests and effect size calculation compare group outcomes. Qualitative interviews with 20 automotive industry employers provide contextual understanding. Findings are expected to reveal significantly higher employability ratings for competency-based training graduates, with employers noting better practical readiness, initiative, and adaptability. The study also examines whether competency-based graduates demonstrate higher rates of formal employment and entrepreneurship. Recommendations include national policy mandating competency-based training across all automotive technology programmes, partnerships with the Society of Automotive Engineers for curriculum co-development, and employer advisory boards in polytechnic automotive departments. This study contributes to competency-based education research in Nigerian technical education and provides strong empirical justification for broader reform. Keywords: competency-based training, employability, automotive technology, Lagos State, polytechnics