ABSTRACT
The study determined textile skills needed for job opportunities among textile design students. Five research questions were raised to guide the study and two hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance.
The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of this study, comprised 52 (fifty-two) Fine and applied art education students in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. The sample size of this study was made up of 52 (fifty-two) fine and applied art education students, in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education in University of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. As a result of the manageable size, the entire population was used as the sample, hence a census. The instrument used for data collection was a self-structured questionnaire titled “Textile Skills Needed for Job Opportunities among Textile Design student Questionnaire (TSNJOTDSQ)”. The questionnaire was segmented into two sections A and B. Section A measured the demographic variables of the respondents such as gender and level of students. The section B comprised 20 item statements which were drawn from the research questions. This instrument for data collection was face validated by the researcher’s supervisor and two other experts, one in Department of Fine and Applied Art and the other in the Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City. To establish the reliability of the instrument, copies of the instrument were administered to the twenty (20) Fine and applied art undergraduate students from Ambrose Ali University who were not part of the study population. Thereafter Cronbach statistical tool was used to ascertain the level of consistency. It however yielded an alpha value of 0.89, which indicated that the instrument was considered reliable. The data collected from the respondent were analyzed using mean (), Standard deviation (SD) and two sample independent t-test using statistical package for the social science (SPSS).
The findings generally showed that textile skills are crucial for job opportunities among textile design students. Specifically, students need strong pattern drafting skills to foster creativity, innovation, and a comprehensive understanding of textile design. Additionally, keeping up with fashion trends, making informed fashion selections, and having knowledge of historical fashion trends are essential for creating successful textile products. Mastery of textile color theory, including understanding color psychology and predicting color interactions with different fabrics and lighting, is also vital. Advanced sewing techniques contribute significantly to the quality and durability of textile products, making students more employable. Furthermore, robust marketing and sales skills are necessary for expanding professional networks, understanding target audiences, and effectively communicating the unique features of textile designs. There is no significant difference between textile skills needed for job opportunities among male and female textile design student. The study concludes that these textile skills are paramount for students to gain a competitive edge in the global market and access diverse job opportunities. Recommendations include integrating practical and digital textile skills into the curriculum, fostering industry collaboration, increasing funding for vocational education, developing supportive policies, and providing continuous professional development for educators.
