The study benchmarked the skills trending in industries across Nigeria and the skills training offered in Technical Colleges in electrical technology, auto/mechanical technology as well as building technology. A survey design was adopted for the study. This study took the form of a needs assessment, where the industries were visited to determine the skills they require from prospective technologists and technicians. The study area is South-South Nigeria, comprising of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers States. The researchers reached out to industries employing Crafts men and Technologists in the States with a list of skills, they would require from their technologists and craftsmen in building, electrical and auto/mechanical technology. From the industry responses, the labour market demand was established. The students were then subjected to another test to determine the extent of development of these skills, from where, a gap was established at specific areas where their vocational training has been deficient. The total population for the study is 5,700, comprising 5,280 of only Technical Education students in State Technical Colleges in South-South Nigeria and 420 companies operating in the region employing at least five technologists and technicians. 2000 Technical College students were used as the sample size for the study. A structured questionnaire tagged “Skills Development Inventory for Technical Education” (SDIFTE) was constructed by the researchers for the purpose of this study. The instrument was face and content validated by three experts in the Faculty of Education, University of Uyo. Descriptive statistics including Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study reveal skills need in industrial electrical installation, solar panel installation, car auto-diagnosis, underwater welding, machining and metrology, skills in Setting out and measurement and Construction of formworks and reinforcement. It was recommended among others that Governments at all levels should work together with educators, policy makers, industry, and other organizations to redefine the value and improve the attractiveness of technical skills
