Introduction

Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme was established by the Industrial training Fund (ITF) in 1973 with the aim of bridging the gap between the skills which the labour market required with that of those acquired by the graduate students

SIWES – Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme is a programme aim at preparing the students for the real industrial work situations they will meet after graduation: so they will properly fit into it. It helps bridge the gap between theory and practice by providing students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situations. It is carried out in industries outside the school.

Consequently, SIWES Programme was introduced into the curriculum of tertiary institutions in the country as far back as 1974 with 748 students from 11 institutions of higher learning.

However, the scheme has over the years contributed immensely to the personal development and motivation of students to be able to understand the important connection between the taught and learnt content of their academic programmes and what knowledge and skill will be expected of them on professional practice after graduation.

OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

  1. Provide an avenue for students in institution of higher learning to acquire industrial skills and experience during their course of study.
  2. Prepare students for industrial work situation that they are likely to meet after graduation.
  3. Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institutions.
  4. Make the transition from school to the world of work carrier and enhances students contacts for later job placements.
  5. Provide students with the opportunities to apply their educational knowledge in real work situations, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practical.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

  1. Opportunity for students to blend theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom with practical hand-on application of knowledge required to perform work in industry.
  2. Exposes students to the working environment, i.e. to enable them see how their professions are organized in practice.
  3. Prepares students to contribute to the productivity of their employers and nation’s economy.
  4. Provision of an enabling environment where students can develop and enhance personal attributes such as critical thinking, creativity, initiative, resourcefulness leadership, time management, presentation of skills and interpersonal skills.
  5. Prepares students for employment and makes transition from school to the work environment easier after graduation.
  6. Enables Students Bridge the gap between the acquired skills in the institutions and the relevant production skill required in the work organization.
  7. Enhances students contact with potential employers while on training.

DURATION

The SIWES shall be taken during the long vacation following the end of the second semester of the first year

PARTICIPATION

For SIWES the grading is done as follows:

  • Employers rating 20%;
  • Institution’s supervisor rating 10%;
  • SIWES report including Log book  50%;
  • Oral interview or seminar by students 20%.