Abstract
The lack of requisite skills needed in today's labour market inhibits youths and graduates from being self-reliant. The
objective of this study is to investigate the impact of skills development on self-reliance in selected skills in Zaria,
Kaduna State. This paper employed a survey research design. Purposive and judgmental sampling was adopted to
select respondents whose opinions are relevant and to make valuable decisions. Thus, 158 samples were arrived at
based on a value judgement that the respondents are experts in the subject matter. The unit of analysis of this paper
is the experts who have been established in selected skills (manufacturers, motor mechanics and carpenters). The
instrument for data collection was a closed-ended structured questionnaire. The face validity assessment was done
by the issuance of a copy of the questionnaire to four lecturers who are experts in the field. Cronbach alpha coefficient
was used to determine the reliability of the instruments used. Data were coded using Statistical Package for the
Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Hypotheses were tested using multiple regression. The findings revealed that
manufacturing, auto servicing and carpentry skills have a positive significant impact on self-reliance. The paper
recommended that the career counsellors and other stakeholders should as a matter of importance counsel the
youths and graduates on the importance of discovering their potentials in manufacturing, auto servicing and
carpentry. This will make them not look down on these skills but rather make themselves available to acquire the
skills for self-reliance. The government should also assist the youths and graduates with grants to enable them to
purchase the tools needed for start-ups. This grant will enable them to establish to practicalize their skills for self-
reliance.
Keywords: Skills development, Manufacturing skill, Auto servicing skill, Carpentry skill, Self-reliance
Publication Date: 2024-07-03