Relationship between Competency Skills of Bus Vehicle Body Builders and Crashworthiness of School Bus in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya, thousands of vehicles are involved in vehicle collisions or crashes every year resulting in fatal accidents and severe injuries to the passengers. This research therefore attempted to fill the gap by focusing on school bus vehicle body crashworthiness. The specific objective was the influence competency skills had on crashworthiness of school bus in Nairobi City County. This study adopted, Mathematical Framework theory. The pragmatic paradigm and explanatory research design were used. The target population was 1500 respondents from bus body building firms and government regulatory institutions. The sample size was 315 respondents. Questionnaires, interview schedules and observation were data collection instruments. Expert judgment was used to establish validity of the questionnaires. Cronbach's Alpha Coefficient used to determine the reliability of the research instrument. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive and inferential analysis with the aid of SPSS V22 software. The coefficient of determination (R squared) of .601 showing that 60.1% of the variation in crashworthiness of a bus can be explained by competency skills. There was a positive significant influence of competency skills on crashworthiness of a bus (β=0.833 and p <0.05). The competency skills had a positive significant influence on crashworthiness of a bus. The company hugely develops the skills and knowledge of its employees to work on new vehicle technologies, including manufacturer – specific training, company motivates its staff through sector specific skill expansion. The company should always motivate its staff through sector specific skill expansion and apprenticeship system remains our company's preferred way of complementing skills formation.