OFFICE SKILLS REQUIRED BY OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT STUDENTS FOR EFFECTIVE PERFORMANCE IN MODERN OFFICE

Abstract
The study examined office skills required by office technology and management graduates for
effective performance in modern office. Descriptive survey research design was used for the
study. The population of the study comprised of 254 respondents. A sample of 152
respondents made up of 64 males and 88 females HND students for 2019/2020 session was
selected from OTM department of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin and Federal Polytechnic,
Offa. Office Skills required by Office Technology and Management Graduates Questionnaire
(OSOTMGQ) which was duly validated with a Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient of 0.87
was used to gather data for the study. One hundred and fifty two copies of the questionnaire
were administered and retrieved and used for the study. The data collected to answer the
research questions were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The null hypothesis
was tested using t-test statistics. The study found among others that office skills both of which
include hard and soft skills are required by OTM graduates for effective performance in
modern office which include; technology skill, internet skill, computer skill, problem solving
skill, presentation skill, communication skill among others. Based on the findings, conclusion
was made that for any graduate to be successful in the 21st century office, hard and soft skills
must be acquired. If these are not acquired it means that the graduates will find it difficult to
perform their assigned job and the name tag of unemployable graduates would still continue
to follow OTM graduates. The following were recommended among others that, polytechnic
institutions should provide enabling environment for OTM programme to survive and that
different types of office machines and equipment, internet facilities, computers, and other
gadget and devices in line with the experiences and skills needed in modern offices should be
made available for the training and preparation of the student to acquire skills, competences
and knowledge as required in the modern office right from the school; there is also the need
for OTM lecturers to expose students to adequate and relevant hard and soft skills which will
enhance the graduates’ effective performances in a modern office, because it's often said that
hard skills will get you an interview but you need soft skills to get and keep thejob.
Keywords: Office, hard skills, soft skills, OTM, Modern Office
Introduction
Education plays an unquantifiable role in societal, national and even global development.
It is the only instrument that emancipates and safeguards the entire human rights via a balanced
knowledge acquisition. Provision of qualitative education has been one of the challenges facing
developing countries like Nigeria, which is a veritable tool for the development of individuals and
nations. (Onasanya, Nathaniel, Laleye & Akingbemisilu, 2013). The world of work is more complex
and fluid, newer approaches to work and learning are in high demand than before; this made most
educational institutions to imbue their students with functional lifelong learning skills they need to
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Nigerian Journal of Business Education Volume 8 No.1, October 2021
Nigerian Journal of Business Education (NIGJBED) Volume 8 No.1 October 2021
survive and meet the changes of the twenty-first century (Federal Ministry of Education, 2002). In
the present office environment, technology has brought changes to the old methods of performing
office works; thereby give way to new methods. This new methods requires new skills,
competences, knowledge and abilities to be able to perform and succeed in the 21st century
modern office. The new methods of performances of office duties as a result of technological
changes in office environment call for training and preparation of prospective office workers to
acquire skills, knowledge, and experiences needed to perform in the modernoffice.
Skill as a concept is a specific form of learning and the ability to be trained on a particular
function, or task till you become an expert and master on the skill. Uzor and Ike (2010) described
skill as ability to do something well, gained through training and experience. Skill is also seen as
one’s potential competencies in the performance of specific tasks acquired after a period of
training or experience. Skill therefore is the rapidity, precision, expertise, dexterity and proficiency
exhibited through mental and manual repetition of performance of an operation. Okoli (2013)
defined skills as the economic-tools with which entrepreneurs confront and solve societal
problems. Skills are practical activities which make one employable, self- reliant and relevant to
the society. OTM graduates must possess these skills that are necessary to enable them perform
effectively in the modern office.
This skill can be obtained through education, training or experience that will inculcate into
the individual how to carry out or discharge his/her responsibilities very well with the new
knowledge. Inalegwu (2016) viewed skill as expertness, aptitude and competences appropriate for
a particular job; it has to do with expert knowledge and creative reasoning to a level of mastery. In
order to attain these skills, the individual needs to acquire basic training or knowledge levels
related to the task to be performed whether through formal, informal or combination of the two.
Boytziz (2010) defined skill as the ability to demonstrate a system and sequence of behavior that
is functionally related to attaining a goal. When necessary skills are acquired, tasks performance
becomes easier.

    Date: 2026-08-12 00:00:00.000000