SIWES

History of SIWES

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was initiated in 1973 by the Federal Government of Nigeria under the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) to bridge the gap between theory and practice among products of our tertiary Institutions. It was designed to provide practical training that will expose and prepare students of Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education for work situation they are likely to meet after graduation.

Before the establishment of the scheme, there was a growing concern among the industrialists that graduates of institutions of higher learning lacked adequate practical background studies preparatory for employment in industries. Thus the employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education going on in higher institutions was not responsive to the needs of the employers of labour.

As a result of the increasing number of students’ enrolment in higher institutions of learning, the administration of this function of funding the scheme became enormous, hence ITF withdrew from the scheme in 1978 and was taken over by the Federal Government and handed to National Universities commission (NUC), National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE). In 1984, the Federal Government reverted back to ITF which took over the scheme officially in 1985 with funding provided by the Federal Government.

The first batch of the College NCE students enrolled in SIWES in 1992 and has been participating since then till date. NCE students (Regular, Continuing Education and Sandwich) of the following programme participate in the scheme: Agricultural Education, Home Economics Education, Business Education, Fine and Applied Arts Education, Industrial Technical Education and Science Education. At degree level, students of Business Education, Industrial Technical Education and Library and Information Science Education programmes also participate. The duration of the scheme for NCE programme is 4 months done at the end of second semester of year two usually from September to December while that of degree programme is 6 months done at the end of first semester of year three usually from May to October.

Objectives of the Programme

The specific objectives of SIWES are to:

• Provide placements in industries for students of higher institutions of learning approved by relevant regulatory authorities (NUC, NBTE, NCCE) to acquire work experience and skills relevant to their course of study
• Prepare students for real work situation they will meet after graduation.
• Expose students to work methods and techniques in the handling of equipment and machinery that may not be available in schools.
• Make transition from school to the labour market smooth and enhance students’ conduct for later job placement
• Provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real life work situation thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice
• Strengthen employer involvement in the entire educational process and prepare students for employment in industry
• Promote the desired technological knowhow required for the advancement of the nation.

Past Coordinators

Mr. M. E. Ezeabikwa              –              1991 – 1992

Agbai J. O.                           –              1992 – 1994

Engr. Esomonu M.                 –              1994 – 1995

Udoinyang I. E.                     –              1995 – 1996

Mr. Akabueze, T. C. P.           –              1996 – 1997

Odigbo, C. I.                        –               1997 – 1999

Okoye, N. E.                         –              1999, 2001 – 2003

Okoli, D. I.                           –              2003 – 2008

Nwokoye, S. K.                     –              2008 – 2009

Agbai J. O.                           –              2009 – 2013

Enwere, E. C.                       –              2013 – 2015