STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES) BACKGROUND

In the earlier stage of science and technology education in Nigeria, students were graduating from their respective institutions without any technical knowledge or working experience. It was in this view that students undergoing science and technology related courses were mandated for students in different institution in view of widening their horizons so as to enable them have technical knowledge or working experience before graduating from their various institutions. The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was established by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in 1973 to enable students of tertiary institution have technical knowledge of industrial work base on their course of study before the completion of their program in their respective institutions. The scheme was designed to expose students to industrial environment and enable them develop occupational competencies so that they can readily contribute their quota to national economic and technological development after graduation. The major background behind the embankment of students in SIWES was to expose them to the industrial environment and enable them develop occupational competencies so that they can readily contribute their quota to national economic and technological development after graduation. The major benefit accruing to students who participate conscientiously in Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) are the skills and competencies they acquire. The relevant production skills remain a part of the recipients of industrial training as life-long assets which cannot be taken away from them. This is because the knowledge and skills acquired through training are internalized and become relevant when required to perform jobs or functions.