Survey of Technical Skills Gap Between Technical College Output and Industry Requirements in Enugu State

This study surveyed the technical skills gap between technical college graduates and employer requirements in Enugu State, South East Nigeria. A persistent disconnect between the competencies produced by formal vocational training and those demanded by industry is widely acknowledged as a structural challenge in Nigerian TVET, but empirical state-level data are scarce. The study employed a mixed descriptive and evaluative survey design, collecting data from 45 employers in construction, manufacturing, and services sectors, and 120 recent technical college graduates. Instruments included an industry competency requirements survey and a graduate skills self-assessment questionnaire. Results indicated significant gaps in areas including quality control, use of modern tools, safety management, and soft skills such as communication and teamwork. Employers rated graduates' practical competency at an average of 3.2 out of 7, while graduates' self-assessments averaged 5.1, suggesting a perception gap. The study recommends institutionalizing employer engagement in curriculum development, establishing mandatory six-month industry internships, and incorporating workplace simulation exercises into technical college training. The Enugu State Technical Vocational Education Board should also create a formal employer advisory panel for each trade area. These findings are pertinent to ongoing TVET reform discussions and to strategies for improving graduate employability in the South East zone. Keywords: skills gap, technical colleges, Enugu State, industry requirements, vocational graduates.