INFLUENCE OF WORKSHOP PRACTICE ON STUDENTS' INTEREST AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN TECHNICAL COLLEGES IN LAGOS STATE

Abstract

Workshop practice refers to the practical activities students engage in within a workshop setting, which may serve as a source of motivation, encouraging students to develop passion for learning, ultimately leading to improved academic performance. Students are expected to become competent and workforce-ready through regular exposure to appropriate tools, machines, and real-life tasks in their respective trade areas. Research findings revealed that, there has been an alarming rise in unemployment and shortage of skilled workers in workplace, which may be attributed to the lack of effective practical training. Therefore, the study investigated the influence of workshop practice on students' interest and academic performance in technical colleges. A descriptive survey research design was employed, focusing on 432 Technical II construction trade students from five Government Technical Colleges in Lagos State. A stratified random sample of 139 students was selected. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire, which demonstrated strong internal consistency with a Cronbach's Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.82. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), applying linear regression for interpretation. The findings revealed that workshop practice does not significantly influence students’ interest (p = .168), but a significant influence on their academic performance (p = .000) in Government Technical Colleges in Lagos State. Based on these findings, it was concluded and recommended that incorporating motivational strategies into workshop practice and addressing infrastructural deficiencies, would significantly enhance students’ interest and academic performance to meet workforce demands.