INTEGRATING DIGITAL SKILLS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN METALWORK EDUCATION

Abstract

The demand for industry-relevant skills in the 21st century has highlighted the urgency of integrating digital competencies and artificial intelligence (AI) into technical education. However, in many Nigerian technical colleges, including those in Kwara State, the curriculum remains largely outdated, lacking alignment with technological advancements such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines and digital fabrication tools. This study investigated the integration of digital skills and AI in metalwork education, focusing on its impact on students’ competency and instructional delivery in public technical colleges. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, guided by three research hypotheses. The population of the study comprises 15 instructors and 519 students making a total of 534 from which a sample of 236 respondents comprising instructors and final-year metalwork students across five public technical colleges in Kwara State. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 10 instructors and 226 students. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using linear regression. Findings revealed a significant relationship between digital skills integration and students’ competency in metalwork (B = 0.563, p < .05, R² = 0.375). Similarly, the availability and use of AI tools significantly influenced instructional quality (B = 0.485, p < .05, R² = 0.353). Instructors’ competence in digital and AI tools also had a strong effect on instructional effectiveness (B = 0.531, p < .05, R² = 0.387). The study concluded that digital and AI integration is critical to improving the relevance and effectiveness of metalwork education. It recommended curriculum reform, investment in AI-enabled equipment, and capacity building for instructors to bridge the technological gap and enhance students’ readiness for modern industry. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Digital skills, Educational technology, Instructional effectiveness, Metalwork education 1