Emerging Issues Of Staff Qualification In Takoradi Technical University’s Transition From Polytechnic

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the emerging issues of staff qualification in Takoradi Technical University’s transition from Polytechnic. A descriptive survey design was employed for the study. The population of the study comprised senior and junior staff at Takoradi Technical University. A sample of 231 were selected via a stratified and simple random sampling techniques for the study. Data were collected with questionnaires (Staff Qualification Questionnaire [SQQ]). Frequencies, percentages, means, and independent samples t-test were used to analyse the data. The study showed that staff qualification characteristics after transition from Takoradi Polytechnic to Takoradi Technical University are important. The emerging staff characteristics include supporting lifelong learning and utilising various programmes, early career, evolving position, further learning, and vocation change, flat and vertical professional movement and portability. The study also revealed that three categories of skills-set (communication, technical, and conceptual) are essential for current and potential staff. The study further revealed that Takoradi Technical University is confronted with recruitment challenges such as limited financial resources to expand services, inadequate staff development programmes, and political influences with regard to staff qualifications. Furthermore, the study revealed that gender is not a significant determinant of the use of certificates to employ staff at Takoradi Technical University. From the results obtained, it is recommended among others that human resource management (HRM) of technical universities should design effective, efficient and transparent skills-set toolkit and development programmes to facilitate staff’s competency.