EMERGING TECHNICAL SKILLS ACQUIRED BY OFFICE TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT (OTM) GRADUATING STUDENTS, THE FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC, IDAH

This study was carried out to determine the emerging technical skills acquired by Office Technology and Management (OTM) graduating students, the Federal Polytechnic, Idah. The study adopted survey design. The population for this study is 101 OTM graduating students. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection. 101 copies of questionnaires were distributed and 87 copies were collected. Data collected was analyzed using Mean and t-Test Statistics. Based on the data analysis, it was revealed that: the emerging word processing skills acquired by OTM) Graduating Students, the Federal Polytechnic, Idah include: ability to apply advanced formatting tools, use the mail merge function, use cloud-based word processing platforms, create and use macros to automate repetitive tasks, use of AI-powered tools, and ability to convert scanned images or PDFs into editable text documents; the emerging database skills include: ability to design, create, and manage relational databases, use structured query language (SQL), skills in cloud-based database management, efficient data entry and use database tools to analyze data and generate reports; the emerging desktop publishing skills include: expertise in using desktop publishing software, digital typography and font management, skills in interactive and multimedia publishing, ability to adjust color settings, proficiency in graphic design, ability to design social media graphics, banners, and infographics and skills in designing reusable templates; the emerging spreadsheet skills include: ability to use excel and google sheets to analyze data, expertise in using advanced spreadsheet functions and formula, ability to use visual basic, implement data validation and error checking and ability to use power query. Based on the findings, the following recommendations were made: curriculum planners should regularly update their curricula to incorporate emerging word processing skills; tertiary institutions should invest in modern office technologies, implement regular training and capacity-building programs and equip OTM with emerging spreadsheet softwares to enhance the spreadsheet skills