i-manager Publications

Aligning Machine Shop Engineering Education with Industry Needs: A Case Study of Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions

David Ndiyamba*

Ndiyamba, D. (2025). Aligning Machine Shop Engineering Education with Industry Needs: A Case Study of Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions. i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 15(4), 25-42.

Periodicity:October - December'2025

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between training duration, training equipment and facilities and the acquisition of employable skills. The study aimed to show how poor equipment and facilities affect the teaching and learning of machine shop engineering for direct intake students. Surveys and interviews were carried out among twenty recent graduate students, fifteen instructors/lecturers and fifteen industry experts. Analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data revealed that inadequacy of equipment has a great impact on the development of employable skills in machine shop engineering training. Inadequate equipment, facilities, consumables and non-functionality of the current equipment were noted as the main barriers to skills training and development. The findings emphasised the importance of upgrading existing equipment to modern ones and the need to have a systematic maintenance strategy for all the institutions to reduce equipment breakdowns. The study advised policymakers and heads of institutions to increase the duration of industrial training and provide enough funds to buy modern equipment and facilities so that the training stays up to date and meets the needs of the students involved.

Keywords

Employable Skills, Skills Acquisition, Direct Intake Students, Training Facilities, Tertiary Institutions, Machine Shop Engineering Education.

How to Cite this Article?

Ndiyamba, D. (2025). Aligning Machine Shop Engineering Education with Industry Needs: A Case Study of Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions. i-manager’s Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 15(4), 25-42.

References

[1]. Adhikari, T. (2024). Enhancing quality of basic level education through demonstration method. Triyuga Academic Journal, 3(1), 190-207.

[2]. Akintayo, O. T., Eden, C. A., Ayeni, O. O., & Onyebuchi, N. C. (2024). Evaluating the impact of educational technology on learning outcomes in the higher education sector: A systematic review. International Journal of Management & Entrepreneurship Research, 6(5), 1395-1422.

[3]. Alenezi, M., Wardat, S., & Akour, M. (2023). The need of integrating digital education in higher education: Challenges and opportunities. Sustainability, 15(6), 4782.

[4]. Anindo, I., Mugambi, M., & Matula, D. (2016). Training equipment and acquisition of employable skills by trainees in public technical and vocational education and training institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya. Training, 3(4), 103-110.

[5]. Barrett, P., Treves, A., Shmis, T., & Ambasz, D. (2019). The Impact of School Infrastructure on Learning: A Synthesis of the Evidence. World Bank Group.

[6]. Bloch, H. P., & Geitner, F. K. (2012). Machinery Failure Analysis and Troubleshooting: Practical Machinery Management for Process Plants. Butter worth- Heinemann.

[7]. Burns, C., & Chopra, S. (2016). A meta-analysis of the effect of industry engagement on student learning in undergraduate programs. The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering, 33(1), 1-10.

[8]. Chipfakacha, R. (2019). The Role of Technical and Vocational Training in Developing Countries. SSRN.

[9]. Chundu, M., Ndavambi, R., & Mamukwa, E. (2021). An investigation of university graduates employability: A case of mechanical engineering students from two tertiary institutions in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research, 33(3), 149-162.

[10]. Dondofema, J., Mwenje, J., & Musemwa, L. (2020). The industrial attachment programme-history, benefits, challenges and its adoption in Zimbabwe: A Review. Asian Journal of Education and Training, 6(3), 412-420.

[11]. El Baradei, L., & Kadry, M. (2022). Bridging the Employability Skills Gap in Higher Education.

[12]. Flores, H. P. (2025). Strengthening the Financing of State Universities and Colleges: Challenges and Opportunities. Philippine Institute for Development Studies.

[13]. Gilbert, M. M., & Thelma, C. C. (2024). An assessment of the effectiveness of the preventive maintenance policy in enhancing quality assurance in education provision: A case of selected primary schools in Chibombo District, Zambia. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 21(1), 1788-1797.

[14]. Goffar, A., & Agustin, L. (2021). Management of facilities and infrastructure in improving quality of graduates. International Journal of High Education Scientists (IJHES), 2(2), 36-47.

[15]. Gulshat, K. (2025). Financing higher education: Insights from global practices. Central Asian Journal of Innovations on Tourism Management and Finance, 6(4), 1243-1252.

[16]. Hassan, S., & Shamsudin, M. F. (2019). Measuring the effect of service quality and corporate image on student satisfaction and loyalty in higher learning institutes of technical and vocational education and training. International Journal of Engineering and Advanced Technology, 8(5), 533-538.

[17]. Ibrahim, R., & Aslam, R. (2025). Inadequate facilities and their impact on learning: Voices of university students in district Gwadar. Indus Journal of Social Sciences, 3(2), 571-586.

[18]. Jacob, O. N., & Atobauka, I. S. (2021). Effects of brain-drain on higher institutions' administration in Nigeria. Pindus Journal of Culture, Literature, and ELT, 8(1), 33-41.

[19]. Mack, A. J. (2024). Funding and its impact on the administration and organisational efficiency of technical vocational education and training institutions. Discover Education, 3(1), 221.

[20]. Mahlahla, J. (2025, July 10). Hon Min Mavima outlines Zimbabwe's skills transformation plan. Ministry of Skills Audit and Development.

[21]. Mahmud, A., Nuryatin, A., & Susilowati, N. (2022). Income generating activity in higher education: A case study of a public university in Indonesia. International Journal of Evaluation and Research in Education, 11(1), 303-312.

[22]. Matabane, M. E., Matabane, R. B., Moloi, T. J., & Sibaya, K. T. (2022). The exploring factors that teachers view as hindering quality in teaching and learning at a TVET college. Research in Educational Policy and Management, 4(1), 51-64.

[23]. Ndiyamba, D., Murena, E., Zendera, W., Mafuratidze, F., & Madzudzo, E. (2024). Enhancing mechanical engineering education in Zimbabwe through identifying critical equipment, facilities, and maintenance strategies for effective training at universities. i-manager's Journal on Mechanical Engineering, 14(3), 1-18.

[24]. Niiranen, S. (2021). Supporting the development of students' technological understanding in craft and technology education via the learning-by-doing approach. International Journal of Technology and Design Education, 31(1), 81-93.

[25]. Nyemba, W. R., Mashamba, A., & Mbohwa, C. (2017). Equipment maintenance challenges and solutions for capacity building and sustainability in the training of engineers: The case for the University of Zimbabwe. Procedia Manufacturing, 7, 303-308.

[26]. Obeng-Ofori, D., & Kwarteng, H. O. (2020). Enhancing the role of alumni in the growth of higher education institutions. International Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies and Innovative Research, 4, 40- 48.

[27]. Ogbu, J. E. (2015). Influences of inadequate instructional materials and facilities in teaching and learning of electrical/electronic technology education courses. International Journal of Vocational and Technical Education, 7(3), 20-27.

[28]. Ongulu, M., & Ibrahim, K. (2021). Influence of adequacy of teaching and learning resources on students 'enrolment in technical, vocational education and training institutions in Butula sub-county, Busia County. International Research Journal of Social Sciences, Education and Humanities, 2(1), 1-14.

[29]. Oviawe, J. I. (2018). Revamping technical vocational education and training through public-private partnerships for skill development. Makerere Journal of Higher Education, 10(1), 73-91.

[30]. Oviawe, J. I., Uwameiye, R., & Uddin, P. S. (2017). Bridging skill gap to meet technical, vocational education and training school-workplace collaboration in the 21st century. International Journal of Vocational Education and Training Research, 3(1), 7-14.

[31]. Paton, R. A., Wagner, R., & MacIntosh, R. (2012). Engineering education and performance: The German machinery and equipment sector. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 32(7), 796- 828.

[32]. Pirzada, G., Muhammad, Y., & Mahmood, A. (2022). Assessment challenges faced by technical vocational education (TVET) stakeholders in Pakistan: Stakeholders' perspectives. Research Journal of Social Sciences and Economics Review, 3(4), 17-26.

[33]. Ramli, A., Zain, R. M., Campus, C., Chepa, P., & Bharu, K. (2018). The impact of facilities on students' academic achievement. Scientific International (Lahore), 30(2), 299-311.

[34]. Tuti, M. D. (2024). Effective Utilization of Workshop Facilities for Skills Acquisition in Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions in Nairobi County, Kenya (Doctoral dissertation, University of Eldoret).

[35]. Wang, Y., & Richardson, D. S. (2020). To buy or to lease: The advantages and costs of leasing versus buying scientific instruments for academic core facilities. EMBO Reports, 21(5), e49971.

[36]. Watters, J., Pillay, H., & Flynn, M. (2016). Industry- School Partnerships: A Strategy to Enhance Education and Training Opportunities.

[37]. Wettaka, J. (2020). Improving Hands-On Training for Skill Acquisition of Engineering Students at the Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Kyambogo University (Doctoral dissertation, Kyambogo University).

[38]. Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education. (2018). National Skills Audit Report.

	North Americas,UK, Middle East,Europe		India	Rest of world
	USD	EUR	INR	USD-ROW
Pdf	35	35	200	20
Online	15	15	200	15
Pdf & Online	35	35	400	25

Aligning Machine Shop Engineering Education with Industry Needs: A Case Study of Zimbabwe Tertiary Institutions

Abstract

Keywords

How to Cite this Article?

References

If you have access to this article please login to view the article or kindly login to purchase the article

Purchase Instant Access

Options for accessing this content: