SIWES: Understanding Its Aims and Objectives in Nigeria

The SIWES scheme provides students with the opportunity to gain practical experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their institution.

Here are the main aims 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 are 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.

The training duration varies across tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

If yours is set for six months, you must complete the full period.

Avoid doing less or exceeding the required time.

The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) provides students with practical experience in their field of study while the industrial training (IT) provides students with work experience that helps them develop professionally.

SIWES students in Nigeria may or may not get paid, depending on the organization where they do their industrial training.

Most government-owned establishments do not pay their internship students.

However, some may offer small stipends.

Some private firms provide stipends, while others do not.

The amount varies depending on the company’s policy.

In the past, ITF provided a stipend to SIWES students, but this is not always guaranteed.

Payments depend on government funding and availability.

So, it is best to confirm with the organization before starting your training if they offer stipends or allowances.

Here are the important forms and documents to be completed by you, your workplace, school, and ITF officials.

1. Master List Form

This is a comprehensive list of students expected to take part in the programme in a year.

It indicates:

Name of students.
Matriculation number.
Programme of study.
Level of study.
Dates showing duration of attachment and nationality.
This list must be prepared serially according to the matriculation number.

All master lists are to be submitted prior to the submission of placement lists by participating institutions to the respective supervising agencies for vetting and approval.

2. Placement List Form

This is the list that is being prepared according to departments by participating institutions and is to be submitted to the respective supervising agencies for vetting and approval.

It should contain the internship student:

Full name.
Matriculation number.
Course of study.
Level of study.
Period and date of attachment.
Nationality and/or state of origin.
Name and address of employer.
Specific places students are expected to do their training.
It may also have to contain the internship student bank account details.

3. Students Commencement Attachment (S.C.A.F) or SPE – 1 Form

This form is being given to internship students during pre-attachment orientation.

Once you secure a place for your training, you must fill out this form, have it signed by your industry-based supervisor, and immediately submit it to the nearest ITF area office in the state where your training is taking place.

4. I.T.F Form 8

This is the end-of-programme report form.

It usually has three (3) sections:

I.T student section, to be filled by you at the end of your training.
Employer’s section, to be filled, signed and stamped by your employer.
School supervisor section, to be filled, signed and stamped by your school before or after submission to the nearest I.T.F area office in the state you have undergone your training.

Once this form is completed, you will have to send it to the nearest I.T.F area office in the state where you undergone your training i.e. if you did your training in Owerri, you’ll send this form at the end of your training to the I.T.F area office in Owerri, Imo State.

While at the I.T.F area office, this form will be cross-checked before the officials sign and stamp your logbook.

After that, you will be given back the form which you will submit together with your logbook when you return to your school.

The completion and submission of these forms is evidence of your participation.

At the point of registration in school, submit your bank details to your school’s coordinators.

Attend your institution’s orientation before going on attachment.

Be obedient to constituted authorities and adhere strictly to all rules and regulations of the organization where you are attached.

Be regular and punctual at your place of attachment.

Avoid change of places of attachment, except in special circumstances which must be determined and approved by your institution’s supervisor, the employer and/or the ITF.

Complete the Students Commencement Attachment Form (SCAF) and get it endorsed by your employer for onward submission to ITF.

Record all training activities and other assignments in your logbook and complete ITF Form-8 to ensure proper assessment.

Be diligent, honest, conscientious and take pride in the protection of employers property throughout your attachment period.