If you're hearing about these out-of-campus placements for the first time, 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.
The purpose of Industrial Training is to expose students to real work of environment experience and at the same time, to gain knowledge through hands-on observation and job execution. From industrial training, the students will also develop skills in work ethics, communication, management, and others.
The term SIWES and Industrial Training (IT) are usually used interchangeably. But they don't literarily mean the same thing. While IT is well accepted for placement after the National Diploma (ND) programme (polytechnic), SIWES is the placement during the programme usually at year 1 (ND 1). A few organizations and schools refer to either as an internship.
In a university setting, SWIES and IT could mean the same thing because they both occurred during the course of studies not after graduation or at the end of the course.
General Placement for Industrial Training and SIWES
Students usually make seeking placements for industrial training and SIWES more difficult than it should be. No offices, organizations, or bodies are specifically recommended for SIWES and IT. Students can choose any organization to work with during this period in as much it's related to their disciplines and can add more (practically) to the knowledge of the trainees.
For example, a Computer Science student can choose any company in need of his skills and through which he can acquire relevant experiences even if the business is not broadly about computers.
You will make it hard on yourself if you think you must work with a big computer firm. There are more to learn also in the computer department of a bank, communication companies, a government house, etc.
However, if you insist on working with a company specifically dealing with your study area, you may need to search further.
- You may find any of the companies listed by the Neil University; accepting their candidates for industrial Training very resourceful too.
- Nigeria NLG Limited usually accommodates Students studying for diploma and degree certificates in Nigerian universities (public or private), national diploma students from polytechnics who have completed their first year, and post-ND polytechnic graduates seeking openings for their one-year industrial training.
- If you're a student of Engineering, Earth Sciences (Geology, Geophysics, Geography), Sciences, Social Sciences, or Medical Sciences, you may want to consider the yearly Total Industrial Training and Internship Programme.
- Several banks are found of accommodating SIWES/IT students. You can check the GTB OND internship vacancies for example.
Generally Recognized Industries for SIWES and Industrial Training (IT)
SIWES and IT 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 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.
Hence, you may want to consider any company from the following industries for your placement.
- Financial Institutions
- Media Houses
- Construction Firms
- Research Institutes
- Universities
- Government Departments
- Health Service (Private & Public)
- Forensic Science Services
- Environment Agency.
- Pharmaceutical Companies
- Art & Design Centres
- Estate Agencies
- Farms
- Zoos
- Surveying Firms
- Steel Companies etc.
- Food Production Companies
- Agricultural Companies
- Water Production Companies
- Biotechnology Firms
- Bakeries
- Mechanical Workshops
- Electrical Workshops/Companies
- Computer Training Centres
- Oil Companies
- Printing Press
What to be Conscious of When Seeking SIWES or IT Placement
Experiences had shown that most students may end up not liking where they do their IT/SIWES because they don't factor in some things. They would complete a year or three-month training to realize they'd wasted their time.
Let's look into things to give priorities before submitting your IT/SIWES letters
1. Be Industry Conscious
How can a student of Accounting seek IT in a Nursery and Primary school? Maybe for money or the frustration coming from not getting the befitting place in time?
I'm aware of these limitations. Very many students face the same challenges. However, it doesn't make any sense if you should fill a position you're not trained for or will not work with, in the future.
While seeking a placement, be sure you get the right organization for your discipline or at least one that has the department appropriate for your discipline.
2. Looking For Money Instead of the Experience
Very many will be victims of this. We all want to make money while working, right? Yet, we should understand knowledge is priceless.
You can get the money now and spend it all in a few months. If you're in the right field, department, or sector, the knowledge you acquire today will be transmuted into more money later.
3. Be Sure You Work for a Company/Business you can Start
Although you're learning today and there is no capital (at present) needed to start any business, the future is waiting to be used.
I'd always warned IT/SIWES students to be wary of working with any business, be it big or small that they can't think of starting or running in the future.
You're working at a filling station, but you don't dream of starting your own station any time sooner. And if you do, do you want to manage it yourself or hold norsles?
Carefully look for companies (I suggest small to medium-sized businesses). These businesses can be started right out of schools or NYSC. Your working experience will come into place while running your own projects. See the experience shared at "After NYSC What Next? Msc, Job Search or Business (Self-Employment)".
4. Be Participating All-through
I've met with candidates who were not actively participating in the training. They were under the organizations for SIWES/IT, yet they're spending their time out of the organizations (at home, for traveling, or running other side hustles).
Apart from the fact that this approach may implicate or fail you if your supervisor doesn't meet you at work, you're not doing any good to yourself for losing out on the experiences.
In fact, without supervision or the company making it tough for you to be at work punctually, you should give your training the commitment it deserves. The pay-back time is near.
5. Working with Dormant Organizations
Some Companies are busier than others. The busier your organization is, the more likely you will learn.
A friend was placed under 5 departments before she completed her IT. Such a person would definitely be more resourceful afterward than someone under-engaged within the same period.
6. Be Employeable at Completion
The primary reason you go for IT/SIWES is to learn more practically in line with your course and use a stock of experiences acquired with related organizations in the future or where possible, start a venture requiring the same skills.
Do you know that a company that engages for SIWES/IT may want to consider you for a permanent position in the future (after your graduation)? This may happen only if they have a good record of you.
Imagine returning back to the company for a position with hundreds of other applicants. They will want to give you a priority as a former SIWES/IT staff. However, records never lie.
This is why you should commit to your responsibilities during this period. Nature has her cunning ways to pay you back in the same measure.
Conclusion
Seeking placement for IT/SIWES shouldn't be that challenging. All you need to commit to the heart is that it doesn't matter how big or small the company is, the relevance to your discipline and knowledge acquisition potential is the priority
Students should be sure they commit to the training while with the organizations and achieve a great wealth of experiences that may not only be needed to secure academic marks, work with similar organizations in the future but also give them the courage and edge in starting and running such ventures.
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