Hard skill challenges among students in fashion design and textiles Kumasi Technical University

Abstract

This quantitative cross-sectional study examined hard skill competency challenges in garment construction among Fashion Design and Textile students at Kumasi Technical University, Ghana. The main objective of the study was to examine the skill challenges and the factors associated with these challenges, as well as the proficiency of sewing garments. Data collected from seventy-nine third-year Higher National Diploma fashion students through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS version 27, employing descriptive statistics, Principal Component Analysis, and factor analysis. Results identified substantial skill deficiencies across three critical domains. Garment finishing demonstrated the highest difficulty with an overall mean of 3.30. Factor analysis revealed three primary impediments to skill acquisition: Individual Learner Attributes (33.8% variance), Learning Environment and Resources (23.2% variance), and Instructional Quality and Curriculum Design (18.7% variance). A descriptive analysis also revealed two critical domain factors that affect skill acquisition. That is Learning Resources and Environment Factors, with an overall mean of 3.35, and Curriculum and Instruction factors, with an overall mean of 3.28. Despite these constraints, students demonstrated moderate proficiency levels with an overall mean of 3.70. Notably, 64.6% completed six or more garment projects, indicating sustained practical engagement. The study concludes that while foundational competencies exist, systematic enhancement of instructional delivery, resource provision, and curricular frameworks is imperative for advancing garment construction expertise. The study recommends that the University implement targeted skill-development interventions, substantial infrastructure investment, and design specialized pedagogical models to address identified competency gaps in garment construction education.