Executive Summary Of Impact Of Siwes On Students

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), is a skills development broadcast initiated by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), in 1973 to bridge the respite between theory and practice among students of engineering and technology in Institutions of lavishly learning in Nigeria. It provides for on-the-job practical experience for students as they atomic number 18 exposed to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their Institutions.At inception in 1974, the Scheme started with 784 Students from 11 Institutions and 104 eligible courses. By 2008, 210,390 Students from 219 Institutions participated in the Scheme with over 112 eligible courses.However, the rapid reaping and expansion of SIWES, has occurred against the backdrop of successive economic crises which guard affected the silver operation and administration of the Scheme. Most industries in Nigeria today, are operating on a lower floor installed capacity whi le separates are completely shut down (Manufacturing Association, 2003 2006). This has impact negatively on the Scheme as Institutions of Higher Learning go on it increasingly difficult to secure placement for Students in industries where they could acquire the such(prenominal) needed practical experience.Aim of the StudyThe innovation of the guinea pig was to evaluate the impact of SIWES on Technical Skills Development in the Nigerian economy. This is to enable Institutions of Higher Learning and other Stakeholders assess the performance of their roles in the Scheme.MethodologyIn order to achieve the aim of the Survey, a total of 1,200 questionnaires were administered to SIWES Students, SIWES Graduates and 60 to the Employers of Labour.Similarly, 36 Head of Institutions, Institution ground SIWESCoordinators/Directors participated in SSI while 30 Human Resource Managers and 60 exertion based SIWES Supervisors were also interviewed. A total of 18focus base discussions (FGD) were held with SIWES Graduates and ITF SIWES Schedule Officers equally participated in FGD.The six geo-political zones of the country and the 27 sphere Offices of the ITF were the bases for sampling. The dramatic artwork for this study lasted two weeks in December 2008 across the Six Geo-Political Zones. The field personnel enjoyed cooperation and support of SIWES participating Institutions and their representatives during data collection. A few questioners did not, however, ask in cooperation of Employers of Labour to administer instruments to Students, largely due to either misconceptions or disputes.Lack of uniform academic calendar for all Institutions, including SIWES calendar affected the capacity of Research Teams to administer some Research Instruments.Major FindingsThe findings of the survey include1.Most Students (75%) describe SIWES as very relevant toTechnical Skills Development, while SIWES Graduates (92.5%)reported that they acquired revolutionary skills during their SIWES attachment.2.Inadequate keep for the smooth management of the Scheme.3.Inadequate/ineffective care of Students on attachment by Staff of Institutions, ITF and Employers of Labour, largely due to neediness/shortage/inadequate vehicles, supervision allowance and delays in the payment of homogeneous to both staff and students.4.Placement of Students in relevant Industries is a study challenge due to the growing number of Institutions, eligible courses and Students tough in SIWES while relevant industries are shutting down5.Employers of Labour have high positive perception of SIWES in imparting skills to students, thus, enhancing their performance.6.There is a customary consensus among Heads of Institution andInstitution-based Coordinators that SIWES makes the educationprocess complete as it bridges the shot between the theoretical knowledge acquired in Institutions through practical give on experience in Industry.7.A major factor ascertain the acceptance of Studen ts for SIWES by Organizations/Establishments is availability of vacancy.Recommendations1. The number of Institutions and Students participating in SIWES have been on the increase without corresponding increase infunding of the Scheme. The study recommends that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST), Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity (FMLP), program line Trust Fund (ETF),and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the Presidency be involved as major Stakeholders that will be saddled with the responsibility of formulating policies to feed the operation of the Scheme and advice the Federal Government appropriatelyparticularly, on funding the Scheme.2.SIWES should be properly presented to potential sponsors, such as banks, multinational companies and other corporate institutions for support in creating placement opportunities, training, equipment, facilities, as well as direct funding of SIWES.3.Institutions should be encouraged to create financial impropriety for Institution-based SIWES Units/Directorates.4.Separate SIWES sub-head by the Federal Government.5.Motivate partners from the private sector through granting tax relief for companies that accept Students on SIWES.6.Instruments for the administration of the Scheme should be periodically reviewed to ensure relevance, and uniformity.