EDUCATION

Differences Between SIWES and Industrial Training (I.T) in Polytechnic

As a polytechnic student, one of the activities you will encounter during your course of study is SIWES and the industrial training programme. While SIWES and IT offer students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in what they have been taught in school, there are differences between these two programs. In this article, we will explain the differences between SIWES and Industrial Training.

About SIWES

The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a 4-month industrial training programme designed to give students practical knowledge and skills in their field of study. This program is undertaken after the NDI second semester. Students are posted to industries related to their discipline to gain in-depth knowledge of what they have been taught in the classroom.

After the 4-month SIWES program, students return to school for a new session, starting with the first semester of NDII, along with their logbook and manual. The logbook or manual is submitted to the polytechnic for vetting. Students are awarded marks and are required to defend their SIWES report.

SIWES is a collaborative initiative between the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), academic institutions, and employers in various sectors. At the end of the training, students are required to submit a report documenting their experiences, which is assessed as part of their academic program.

Activities during the program include:

Learning how to use industry-specific tools and equipment.
Gaining exposure to workplace culture and professional ethics.
Completing tasks under the supervision of experienced professionals.

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Industrial Training (I.T)

Industrial Training (I.T) is a one-year industrial work experience program designed for National Diploma (ND) graduates to deepen their knowledge and acquire practical skills in their chosen field. For example, ND SLT graduates can do their industrial training in a hospital to gain knowledge about blood groups and how the human body works, as they were taught in the classroom.

Industrial Training is undertaken after completing the ND program, and this programme lasts for one year.

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Differences Between SIWES and Industrial Training

1. Duration: SIWES is a 4-month program, compulsory for students in the School of Science, Engineering, and Technology, while Industrial Training is a one-year program for all ND graduates.

2. Timing: SIWES is done after the NDI second semester, while Industrial Training is done after completing the ND program (NDII).

3. Compulsory vs. Optional: SIWES is compulsory, but Industrial Training is optional for ND graduates.

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4. Requirement for HND Admission: Evidence of completion of Industrial Training (I.T) is a prerequisite for admission into HND programs. To be admitted into any polytechnic for an HND program, you must present your IT completion letter, which confirms that you completed the one-year industrial training.

5. Target Audience: SIWES is for ND students, while I.T is for ND graduates.

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6. Report Defense: SIWES students are required to defend their work experience report, but I.T students are not required to defend their work experience. Instead, they are presented with an I.T completion letter.

7. Eligibility: SIWES is primarily for students in science, technology, and engineering fields, while I.T is for all ND graduates.

8. Academic Stage: SIWES is undertaken after your first year in the polytechnic, while I.T is done after your final year in the polytechnic.