It’s been 40 years since Benjamin graduated from College of Technology Enugu, (now IMT Enugu), he went on to briefly work in the telecoms industry after which he got an entry level job in one of the big oil companies. Over the course of his career which spanned 30+ years Benjamin witnessed junior colleagues with less technical experience than him fast-tracked on to management roles, a decision that was more based on the fact that they had a university degree than on performance. Although Benjamin went on to earn senior management positions later in his career, decades later, he still recalls this unfairness quite sharply.
As discussed in the previous instalment of this series, the role of the Polytechnics is to provide general education, the study of technologies and related sciences and the acquisition of practical skills, attitudes, understanding and knowledge relating to occupation in various sectors of economic life. This includes courses such as Electrical, Mechanical and Building. In the previous article, I highlighted one of the strongest selling points of a Polytechnic is the fact that the curriculum is built around practical applications, with emphasis on advancing skills to expertise level and is furthermore industry specific.
A hands-on/practical way of acquiring education should be valued in industries where core technical skills are better acquired through text books. Such an education in an industry like electrical engineering is highly valued. Or it should be. This brings us to the University.
Universities offer a more rounded education, touching on aspects such as research, presentation and writing skills. And from an employer’s point of view, are easily transferable skills when it comes to transitioning to an administrative/management role. But the core issue here is, when set side by side, how do the performance, knowledge and capability of a university graduate compare to that of a technical graduate?
This is obviously a hot button issue and has been a bone of contention between both parties for decades. Let’s try looking at this objectively, a university education as we have noted is well rounded, BUT, it cannot be denied that a lot of emphasis is based on theoretical knowledge, which is all well and good but is no substitute for a more hands-on practical application based curriculum. At least when it comes to some technical jobs.
At the very least, let’s say while universities may have an edge over Polytechnic when it comes to some areas. However, in terms of practical application, Polytechnic have just as good (maybe arguably better) standing.
Let’s go into today’s job market. For an entry level position in a job such as an electrical technician, traditionally such positions have been filled by polytechnic graduates but due to the competition for such jobs, employers now have the option of hiring university graduates for such role even if they have less practical technical experience.
During their career, university graduates are likely to earn more than polytechnic graduates and also be put on a faster career progression.
In a typical construction company, a polytechnic graduate might come in at level 1 (level 5 being the highest level) on the other hand a university graduate might come in at level 1 but will be on a different pay and progression structure, oftentimes earning as much as a level 3 polytechnic graduate.
You may wonder why someone who may not be as strong in the technical aspects is more likely to secure such a job. Well, quite a few companies believe that whatever technical shortcomings that person may have could easily be rectified by learning on the job and being sent for training courses to bring him up to the required level.
By that reasoning could polytechnic graduates not also be given such an opportunity and also be given the chance to learn on the job to make up for whatever their shortcomings may be?
Thankfully, savvy and ambitious polytechnic grads are finding ways to even out the playing field by getting postgraduate diplomas and advanced degrees such as MBA’s.
You might argue that the reason for university degrees usurping the role and opportunities of polytechnic grads is this to take up the slack caused by the falling standards of polytechnic (a gross misconception). This a strawman’s argument because as far back as the 60’s, in the golden age of technical institutions, there has been an unjust preference for university graduates over polytechnic graduates, with little regard for capabilities, or skill within that field.
There is a place for technical education in Nigeria and it’s steeped in a rich history of practical training, innovation and skill. Although over the years the standards may not be what it might have once been (mainly due to the lack of funding) but the fact is that it remains till today, the strongest foundation a young person can have as a technologist.
Jolomi Gagar
Jolomi Gagar, is a business development expert at Etiwa Vocational Training ( www.etiwa.com, [email protected])
