Merging the gap between formal and informal training: a case study of mobile phone repairers in Morogoro
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Date
2023
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The development of science and technology has led to the emergence of mobile phone
technology which has gained tremendous popularity as the ideal device for
communication in modern times. In relation to the emergence of mobile phones, there
is the need for a new field of profession which ensures mobile phone repair and
maintenance. In response to the need, there have emerged a lot of entrepreneurs across the
country offering mobile phone repair and maintenance services. Hence, the study aimed to
assess the state of mobile phone repairers’ skill development and compare the phone
repairers' demands with the coverage of Vocational Education Training Authority
(VETA)-Kipawa and Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) curricula. The case
study design under qualitative approach employed interview, observation and
documentary review to gather the data from 15 mobile phone repairers, 20 customers of
the repairers and 5 VETA trainers. The findings revealed that most mobile phone
repairers joined the industry as a result of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Additionally, the study found that most mobile phone repairers acquired skills through
observing experienced mobile phone repairers and short courses organised by VETA. It
was discovered that some of the mobile phone repairers lack formal or non-formal
trainings relating to mobile phone repair. The researcher reports on the need of the
government through training institutions to avail easily accessible and affordable formal
and non-formal mobile phone repair trainings. The results also show that the existing
curriculum used at VETA to offer trainings to mobile phone repairers does not wholly
match their needs. The study based on the findings, it recommends that mobile phone
repairers should not only learn informally, especially from more knowledgeable and
experienced mobile phone repairers, but also should attend training institutions. It is also
recommended that the government should facilitate mobile phone repair training
institutions in providing specialized skills relating to mobile phone repair in order to
meet the demands of mobile phone repairers.
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Thesis
Keywords
science and technology, phone technology, communication, phone repair, maintenance services.