CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION The Student Industrial Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a program

specially organized by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). It was imitated in 1973 with the
objective of equipping students in Nigerian Tertiary Institution with adequate practical
knowledge required for the completion of their different courses of study. The scheme is a
tripartite program involving the students, the universities and industries. The Scheme is funded
by the Federal Government of Nigeria and is jointly coordinated by the Industrial Training Fund
and the National Universities Commission (NUC). It is a skill training program designed to
exposed and prepare students of tertiary institutions for the industrial situation they are likely to
meet after graduation.
1.1 OBJECTIVES OF SIWES The objectives of SIWES are enumerated as follows:⦁
Provide an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial skills and
experience in their course of study.⦁ Prepare students for the industrial work situation they are
to meet after graduation.⦁ Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling
equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institutions.⦁ Make the transition
from school to the world of work easier, and enhance students contact for later job placement.⦁
Provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation thereby
birdging the gap between theory and practice; and ⦁ Enlist and strengthen employers,
involvement in the entire educational process and prepare students for employment in Industry
and Commerce.
1.2 Scope of SIWESThe scope of SIWES basically entails the majors areas the scheme intends
to focus on by allowing students engage in internship. As earlier mentioned at the start of this
paragraph the SIWES scheme aims majorly in ensuring that the gap between classroom learning
and theoretical experience is bridged. Usually as seen in ordinary class learning the student in
most cases will tend to see relevance until a practical side of these lessons is given.In summary,
the scope of the SIWES is to ensure that the students not only see practical solutions to every
lessons but also to understand the workings of the labour market which will in that future ensure
that they easily get absorbed into it.As an Engineering student, I have been able to obtain the
relevant industrial training experience during my internship program which took place at Monica
Integrated Global Company Umuahia, Abia State. Having been exposed to practical and
activities in industry in duration of six (6) months.
1.3 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COMPANYMonica

Click Here for SIWES Activities

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a new Directorate under the Vice-
Chancellor’s Office. It was established on 20th April, 2012
The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a skills training programme
designed to expose and prepare students of universities and other tertiary institutions for the
Industrial Work situation they are likely to meet after graduation. It is also a planned and
structured programme based on stated and specific career objectives which are geared towards
developing the occupational competencies of participants (Mafe, 2009). Consequently, the
SIWES programme is a compulsory graduation requirement for all Nigerian university students
offering certain courses.
The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), is the accepted training programme,
which is part of the approved Minimum Academic Standard in the various degree programmes
for all Nigerian Universities. The scheme is aimed at bridging the existing gap between theory
and practice of Sciences, Agriculture, Medical Sciences (including Nursing), Engineering and
Technology, Management, and Information and Communication Technology and other
professional educational programmes in the Nigerian tertiary institutions. It is aimed at exposing
students to machines and equipment, professional work methods and ways of safeguarding the
work areas and workers in industries, offices, laboratories, hospitals and other organizations.
Prior to establishing the Scheme, industrialists and other employers of labour felt concerned that
graduates of Nigeria Universities were deficient in practical background studies preparatory for
employment in Industries and other organizations. The employers thus concluded that the
theoretical education being received in our higher institutions was not responsive to the needs of
the employers of labour. Consequently, the rationale for initiating and designing the scheme by
the Industrial Training Funds ITF, in 1973.
The scheme is a tripartite programme involving the students, the universities and the employers
of labour. It is funded by the Federal Government and jointly coordinated by the Industrial
Training Fund (ITF) and the National Universities Commission (NUC).
1. To provide an avenue for students in the Nigerian universities to acquire industrial skills
and experience during their course of study;
 2. To prepare students for the work situation they are likely to meet after graduation;
3. To expose the students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and
machinery that may not be available in their universities;
4. To allow the transition phase from school to the world of working environment easier and
facilitate students’ contact for later job placements;
5. To provide students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real work
situation thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.
ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SIWES PROGRAMME
AND THEIR ROLES
The Federal Government, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the Supervising Agency, National
Universities Commission, NUC, Employers of labour and Institutions have specific roles to play
in the management of SIWES. The roles are:
1. The Federal Government
1. To provide adequate funds to the ITF through the Federal Ministry of Industry for the
scheme;
2. To make it mandatory for all ministries, companies and parastatals to offer places to
students in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 47 of 1971 as amended in 1990;
3. . Formulate policies to guide the running of the scheme nationally.
2. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF). This agency is to:
1. Formulate policies and guidelines on SIWES for distribution to all the SIWES
participating bodies;
2. Provide logistic material needed to administer the scheme;
3. Organise orientation programmes for students prior to attachment;
4. Provide information on companies for attachment and assist in industrial placement of
students;
5. Supervise students on Industrial attachment;
6. Accept and process Master and Placement lists from institutions and supervising
agencies;
7. Vet and process students’ logbooks and ITF Form 8.
3. The Supervisory Agencies (NUC, NABTEB, etc)
The NUC is to:
 1. To ensure the establishment and accreditation of SIWES unit/Directorate in institutions
under their jurisdiction;
2. To vet and approve Master and Placement lists of students from participating institution
and forward same to ITF;
Fund SIWES Directorate adequately in participating institutions;
3. To direct for the appointment of full-time SIWES Coordinator/Director;
4. Review programmes qualified from SIWES regularly;
5. Participate in the Biennial SIWES conferences and seminars in conjunction with ITF.
Institution
The Institutions
The institutions are to:
Establish SIWES Directorate with a separate account, adequately staffed and funded to ensure
effective operation of the scheme. The unit must meet the following minimum requirements:
A. MINIMUM PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
1. A full-time Head/Director of SIWES, rank should not be less than that of a Reader in a
related discipline
2. An Administrative Office (to assist the Head)
3. At least 4 full-time Industrial Coordinators to operate the scheme at Institutional level
4. A Secretary/Typist/Data Entry Clerk
5. A Driver
6. A Clerk

B. MINIMUM MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Adequate office space and well furnished
2. A personal computer
3. A photocopying machine
4. A separate SIWES account
5. A functional car

C. The Institutions will also do the following:

1. Appoint SIWES Coordinator in Schools;
2. Prepare and submit Master and Placement lists to the respective coordinating agency and
ITF
3. Place students on attachment with employers;
4. Organise orientation programmes for students to prepare them for industrial training;
5. Supervise students on attachment and sign their logbooks. A minimum of three visits
should be made to the
6. students by the institution’s supervisors during the period of attachment;
7. Work out industrial tailor-made programme with the employers-based supervisor on the
National Training Guidelines for each course;
8. Submit completed ITF Form 8 to the ITF;
9. Submit comprehensive reports on the scheme to the ITF after the programme.

THE EMPLOYERS/INDUSTRY
1. Accept students and assign them to relevant on-the-job training;
2. Provide tailor-made training programmes for the students;
3. Attach experienced staff to students for effective training and supervision on a ratio of
1:10 (staff : students);
4. Control and discipline students like permanent staff;
5. Provide medical care for students within the limit of employers conditions of service;
6. Permit representatives of ITF and Institutions’ based supervisors to visit the students on
attachment and
7. Grade students in the assessment Form and the ITF Form.

THE STUDENTS
1. To attend institution’s SIWES orientation programme before going on industrial
attachment;
2. Comply with the employers rules and regulations;
3. Keep proper records of training activities and other assignments in the logbook;
4. Arrange their own accommodation during the period of attachment;
5. Submit Log Books, Reports and other documents related to SIWES as required by their
institution at the end of the training period;
 6. Submit to ITF through their institution, Evaluation Form (ITF Form 8) completed by the
students the employer and the institution;
7. Avoid changing of place of attachment except in special circumstances and with the
permission of your Centre Director and the SIWES Directorate.

DURATION OF ATTACHMENT FOR SIWESS FUNDING

The minimum duration for SIWESS should normally be 24 weeks (6 months) at a stretch. The
period is longer for engineering and technology programmes. The ITF will not pay for any
attachment period that is less than 24 weeks.
In most institutions, SIWES is done at the end of the 2nd semester examination of either 300,
400 or 500 level. The time and duration will have to be worked out jointly by each school and
the directorate and the ITF.
8. COMPULSORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION
1. Master List
2. Placement List
3. Summary Sheet
9. ORIENTATION PROGRAMMES
All students accepted for SIWESS must be given an orientation on SIWES by their institutions
during which ITF staff must be in attendance
10. SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
Students on attachment are to be supervised by the professional ITF staff and the institutions
supervisors (comprising staff of Schools and the Directorate).
11. ALLOWANCES
The current students and Institutional supervisory allowances approved by the Federal
Government are as follows:
Students – N2,500.00 per student per month
Institution Supervisory – N250.00 per student per month. Only students who participate in the
programme for six months at a stretch are now eligible for payment. A few of the employers pay
some salary and allowance to students during attachment.

WRITING OF SIWES LOGBOOK REPORT

1. INTRODUCTION
The report of the Industrial Training/Siwes is an essential part of the programme. The
programme is, therefore, not deemed to have been passed through by the student, by the School
Board of Studies and the University of Senate until a satisfactory report has been written. The
guidelines for writing the reports are therefore set out below and the student should write the
report stressing what he/she did during his/her attachment.

2. RECOMMENDED OUTLINE FOR WRITING REPORT

The plan of the report is the student’s own responsibility. To streamline all reports, the
following outline is to be followed by every students.
2.1 Title
2.2 Name of Student (Surname first)
2.2.1 Matriculation Number
2.2.2 Course and Year (e.g. Bus. Edu. 3)
2.3 Location & Firm of Training
2.4 Summary or Abstracts of report (about ¾ – 1 page) it should containing all the essentials
inside the report)
2.5 Acknowledgement

2.5.1 Introduction
Here, the student should state what he/she is going to write about. He should briefly outline the
organisational structure for the company.

2.6 Main Body of the Report

This is the most important part of the report and the student must show own innovations. The
plan and order sequence should include mainly:
a. The skills and practices the student required
b. The operation and maintenance training received
c. The specific work done must be given adequate coverage
d. Any design, calculations, and analysis must be carefully, but briefly recorded.
e. Supervision and any leadership role played in a given project or assignment (if any) must
be briefly reported so as to leave no one in doubt as to student’s actual involvement.
f. Sketches, diagrams, graphs and drawings (if any) must all have titles and designated as
Fig. 1, 2 etc. and each must be referred to at least once in the report.
g. Experimental test, together with the tables of results must also be given adequate
coverage. Each table should be given a title in a sequential order as: Table 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc. with
related titles, and must be referred to at least once in the text.

2.7 Conclusion
Here, the student should state again what he has achieved, contributed and learnt during this
attachment.

2.8 Acknowledgements
All those who have in any way helped the student to the success of his training may be noted in
this section.

2.9 References
A list of references may be necessary. It should be listed in the order the references are referred
to in the report and also listed alphabetically.

2.10 Appendices (if any)

Detailed description of working principles of most apparatus, equipment or devices may be
reserved for the appendix section. Only in exceptional cases when the apparatus is the main
focus of training should detailed description form part of the main report.

What is SIWES All About?

SIWES which means Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme, is a compulsory skill training
programme designed to expose and prepare students of Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics,
Colleges of Education, Colleges of Technology and Colleges of Agriculture, for the industrial
work situation they’re likely to meet after graduation.
The scheme also affords students the opportunity of familiarizing and exposing themselves to the
needed experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their
institution.
Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern among industrialists that
graduates of institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical background studies
preparatory for employment in industries.
Thus, employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education in higher institutions wasn’t
responsive to the needs of the employers of labour.
The Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) did SIWES introduction, initiation and design in 1993 to
acquaint students with the skills of handling employer’s equipment and machinery.
The Industrial Training Fund (I.T.F) solely funded the scheme during its formative years.
However, because of financial constraints, the fund withdrew from the scheme in 1978.
The Federal Government, noting the significance of the skills training, handed the management
of the scheme to both the National Universities Commission (N.U.C) and the National Board for
Technical Education (N.B.T.E) in 1979.
The management and implementation of the scheme was, however, reverted to the I.T.F by the
Federal Government in November 1984 and the administration was effectively taken over by the
Industrial Training Fund in July 1985, with the funding solely borne by the Federal Government.
Aim and Objectives of SIWES in Nigeria
 Provides the avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to gain industrial
skills and experiences in their course of study.
 Prepare the students for the industrial work situation they’re likely to meet after
graduation.
 Expose students to work method and techniques in handling equipment and machinery
that may not be available in their institutions.
 Make the transition from school to the world of work easier and enhance students’
contact for later job placement.
 Provides students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in actual work
situations, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
 Enlist and strengthen employers’ involvement in the entire educational process and
prepare students for employment after graduation.
SIWES Students Preparation and Success
If you want to determine your level of preparedness for the programme this year, then this very
post section is for you.
You’re about to know the signs that show or determine if you’re actually ready to secure possible
placement and will eventually get your desired grade and performances in your training.
You’ll also get to know some costly mistakes you really have to avoid in order to prevent
problems.
Finally, you’ll know some important questions you’ve to sincerely answer by yourself before,
during and after your industrial training in Nigeria.