A Study of Job Characteristics in Industries for Developing Automotive Technology Courses at the Diploma Level: A Case Study of Krabi Technical College
Abstract:
The objcctivcs of this rcsearch wcrc to study thc gcncral conditions of thc workplace,job characteristics of auto~notived iploma holders, and thc congruence between the knowledgeand skills ulilizcd at thc workplace and alornotivdcip loma lcvcl courscs of Krabi TechnicalCollege. The population of the study was 69 auto~notived iploma holders who graduated duringthe academic years of 1993-1995. The instrument inistered in the study were note taking, astructure-intcrview, and qucstionnaircs. Thc statistics used for analyzing the data wercpercentage (%) and content analysis. The result of the study were as follows: 1. Most of the automotive diploma holders graduated in the 1993 academic year andworked as maintenance services with medium-size private co~npanieso f automotive dealers andcar service centers located outside of Krabi province. Their salaries were between 5,001-6000bahtlmonth. Actually, they would work as a team and their general knowledge was English.Their working habits required by the co~npanies hould be honesty and punctuality. The tools oftheir communication/coordination among employers, subordinators and co-workers would bediscussing and tclcphoning. 2. The positions of the auto~notived iploma holders were maintenance, service advisor,and car parts keeper. 3. Knowledge and skills utilizcd at the workplacc were as follows: 3.1 Knowledge 1) Advanced knowledge could be classified as principles, theories, system, andtechniqucs of working that could bc applied into problcm solving, analyzing and setting up thesteps of complex opcrations; for cxainplc, the principles of cooling and lubrication, ignitionsystcm, Iucl systcm, autoinatc gcar, clcctrical instruments, break systems, and automotive aircondition systcm. 2) Intcrmcdiate knowlcdgc could bc classificd as comprehension of thc facts,and prindciplcs. This would also includc thc ability of idcntifying or translating the concepts.Thus, the proccss of working could not be complicated; for example, auto~notivee ngine system,autonotivee lectrical circuits, equipment in systems and automotive body. 3) Basic knowledge could be classified as basic or generic knowledge that helpssupport thc quality as wcll as iinprovc thc cffcctivcncss of work; for exainplc, the nalncs ofengine parts, battery, electrical equipment, and material accessories such as fuel, lubricants,coolant, rcfrigerant and compressor oil. 3.2 Skills 1) Advanccd skills could bc classificd as thc ability to apply diffcrcnt kinds ofkowlcdgancd tcchniqucs appropriate for cach work. Thc stcps of operation should be coinplexandlor complicated; for cxainplc, analyzing conditions and problems of the system, checkingand modifying cquipmcnt as wcll as rcinoviilg thc parts. 2) Intermediate skills could be classified as the ability to master the work withskill and expcricnccs. The stcps of operation could not be complex and/or complicated; forexample, checking, changing and tune-up. 3) Basic skills could be classified as thc ability to imitate the models, to followthc ordcrs without sctting up thc i-ulcs or steps; for cxa~npler,e moving and changing,maintenance, cleaning and preparing. 4. There was a congruence between thc knowledge and skills utilized at the work placcand automotive diploma lcvcl courscs of Krabi Technical Collcge. 5. Thc unrclatcd courscs andlor unspccificd contc~~otns thc autoinotivc diploma lcvclcourses could be inscrtcd in other subject areas and/or courses had already been taken at thevocational certificate lcvcl. 6. The unrclatcd courscs andlor unspccified contcnts for the autonotive diplolna levelcourscs of Krabi Tcclinical Collcgc wcrc liunanr clationsliip, lnatcrials andlor cquiplncntoperation, writing report, and filing