Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-3, Issue-5, 2017 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 1474 Skills required for Improving Local Content Development among Mechanical Engineering Students for Industrialization of Polytechnics in Rivers State Engr. Amaechi O.J 1 , Orlu, I, 2 Obed, O. O, 2 & Thomas, C.G. 2 1 Faculty of Vocational Education. Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port-Harcourt Rivers State 2 Faculty of Technical and Science Education, Rivers State University of Science And Technology, Portharcourt, Nigeria Abstract: The aim of this study is to investigate on the strategies for improving TVET and local content development among mechanical technology students in rivers state polytechnics. Two purposes and two research questions guided the study. Two null hypotheses which were tested at 0.05% level of significance were formulated. The study adopted a descriptive research design and was carried out in polytechnics in Rivers State. The total population for the study was 172 respondents. No sampling technique as the population is of manageable size. A questionnaire based on four point scale was used as the data collection instrument. The instrument used for data collection was a structural questionnaire. Section 2 was structured on a 4- points scale of Strongly Agreed (SA), Agreed (A), Disagreed (D) and Strongly Disagreed (SD). The questionnaire was validated by three experts from the Department of Industrial Technology Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumini. Cronbach Alpha reliability method was used and Cronbach alpha of 0.78 value was obtained represent the reliability coefficient of the instrument. Findings of the study revealed that ability to: Select and use of hand tools, Perform basic, routine layout, Read and comprehend information on orthographic prints and job process sheets for routine manufacturing operations, Perform hand fitting and minor assembly are the strategies for improving TVET and local content development among mechanical technology students in rivers state polytechnics. Recommended that Government, NGOs and/or wealthy Nigerians should: Develop and improve polytechnics programs to respond to the economic needs of the country and Control foreign investment and enhance Nigerian local content. Keywords: Skills, Local Content Development, Mechanical Technology and Polytechnics. Introduction The word indigenous simply means native or local. It could be used to refer to something that originates within a locality and is unique to the locality. Engineering on the other hand can be referred to the art and science of applying knowledge to meet man’s needs. Putting the two words together, indigenous Engineering can be defined as locally developed art and science that is unique to a given culture or society, which is applied to meet man’s need (Okorafor, 2014). Eionet (2012) defined local content as the technology employed by native inhabitants of a country and which constitutes an important part of its cultural heritage and should therefore be protected against exploitation by industrialized countries. World Bank (2013) acknowledged that indigenous knowledge is the basis for local-level decision making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural-resource management and a host of other activities in rural communities for industrialization. The rapid industrialization of any nation is tied to acquisition of engineering skills. Fundamentally, it is a systematic way of exposing individuals to the practical training of developing and producing goods and services for the citizens’ in any country. Nigeria as a developing country has failed to achieve any meaningful industrial development because of a number of factors principal among which is overdependence on imported goods from the developed countries. The nation is endowed with abundant natural resources but lack the necessary engineering knowledge to transform these resources into finished products. Therefore, acquisition of engineering skills is imperative to attaining industrial development, for it is a type of technology that involves the application of the rudiments of science and technology for industrial design, production, distribution and services. It is on record that most