EDUCATION

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INDUSTRIAL TRAINING PLACEMENT

SIWES/INTERNSHIP, also called Industrial Training by Polytechnic Students, is a working experience scheme introduced by the federal government to get undergraduates exposed to the practical aspect of what they have been taught in school. Industrial training is a full-time practical class which can be done in both private and government establishments.
Industrial training is also one of the perquisites and criteria for admission consideration to Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in Nigeria.

Many Polytechnic students do ask me if there are benefits to undergoing industrial training and if it’s necessary. The answer is yes. Industrial training has helped so many students to understand the practical knowledge and make them to become a professional, and below are the benefits of industrial training.

1. ENABLES STUDENTS TO UNDERSTAND BETTER.

Industrial Training (I.T.) will enable you to understand better what you have been taught in the class, especially if your school is more theory than practical. You should definitely undergo industrial training as this will increase your knowledge and get you familiar with your field of study.

2. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY.

Industrial training is one of the ladders to job opportunities as employers may retain you after seeing your outstanding performance in the firm/company where you were posted. Apart from the fact that you are an I.T student, you may likely get paid by the company.

One of my colleagues who has one year of industrial experience was paid #40,000 per month, which by now might have increased. You might also be lucky to meet influential people and get connections through the I.T scheme.
ALSO READ: Polytechnic Ibadan not recruiting, do not be scammed – Registrar warns job

3. MEET MORE PEOPLE IN YOUR FIELD OF STUDY.

Another benefit of doing I.T is that you get to meet different people who are students like you to share ideas and knowledge with. There are some things that you might have missed during your undergraduate days on campus, and with these people around you, it will be so easy for you to understand because you will be working with other professionals, and this will boost your experience in your field of study.

I studied biochemistry in HND, and during my ND programme, our lecturers didn’t teach us most of the practical aspects, but with the help of industrial training, I was able to better understand all the practical aspects. Trust me, industrial training is very important because it exposes you to the world of knowledge.

4. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING BOOSTS YOUR WORKING EXPERIENCE.

Industrial training is also helpful in terms of gaining experience, as most employers do request “working experience” as a criteria for applying for a job, so during the interview they will ask you if you have any working experience. What if you say no? You might be disqualified, and if you say yes, they may request a recommendation from the firm you initially worked for or ask you to prove you can handle the job. Without experience, how will you convince an employer you are the most qualified? Most employers will always demand that you have working experience, which is why you should do your industrial training if you intend to work with your certificate.

ALSO READ: Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja 2022/2023 HND FULL-TIME FORM IS OUT (Apply Now)

I have a friend with whom we graduated together years back. She was in the mass communication department, and during her industrial training she told me she was able to learn more about news reporting through the radio station she was posted to as an I.T student, and after completing her one-year industrial training, she was absorbed by another firm where she was employed to work as a reporter. Imagine if she was among the people saying “I.T.” is a scam. That was how she could have missed that opportunity.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN INDUSTRIAL Training AND SIWES

SIWES is still the same as industrial training. The difference between the two is that SIWES is a compulsory programme which lasts for at least four(4) months, while industrial training is necessary but not compulsory. SIWES is always done after ND1, while Industrial Training, also known as Internship (I.T), is done after ND2. The federal government pays SIWES but I.T students don’t get paid. SIWES carries 4-unit courses, but I.T. doesn’t come with any units because it is a choice.

The Disadvantages of an Industrial Training Scheme

While industrial training has its own advantages, the disadvantages are also vexing. Below are the disadvantages of industrial training (I.T).

1. LACK OF FIRM TO ABSORB STUDENTS: I.T students have always complained that there is no firm to accept them to work for, and this sometimes causes frustration as some of them end up sitting at home because there is no firm to work for to acquire skills related to their field.

2. IT STUDENTS DON’T GET PAID: As an I.T student, you are not expected to be paid because the primary reason why you are there is to learn and not to earn. However, some firms and companies may pay you, but there is no guarantee on that. If your primary purpose is to make money after your National Diploma programme, then you should not consider doing industrial training because there is no assurance of being paid well and, if possible, it will be a peanut fee.

ALSO READ: THE ANGER OF A DICK DOES NOT TEAR THE PUSSY

3. I.T STUDENTS DON’T GET PAID: Industrial training is a full-time job, just like working for a company. This internship scheme will take away your freedom as you may not be able to do what you like as you will have to abide by all the laid down rules and regulations by the hosting firm, which sometimes can be frustrating.

4. STUDENTS TURNED TO SLAVES: Most of the I.T./SIWES students are being turned into errand boys and slaves by the host firms. I have noticed how students complain about how they are being mistreated by the firm they work with. In fact, some of the I.T. students find it difficult to learn because they are always on an errand for their supervisors. During my industrial training, the laboratory attendant frustrated me with work, and she complained too much when I came late to work without listening to my excuses. How students are being used as errand boys is worrisome and one of the disadvantages of the internship/industrial training scheme.

ALSO READ: 10Ways to Collect Money from Your Parents as a Student

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

IS INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COMPULSORY? No, industrial training is not compulsory but necessary because it boosts your knowledge. Perhaps if you already own a business that is bringing you money or you have come across a job opportunity, you can grab the job opportunity and make use of the one-year industrial training to boost your business or learn a new skill that will earn you money. However, if you are studying engineering and science-related courses, I would encourage you to do your industrial training because it is very helpful.

SHOULD I GO FOR MY I.T OR WORK INSTEAD? This depends on your choice and financial status. The purpose of industrial training is to enhance your working experience in your field of study, so if you want to boost your knowledge, then go for I.T., but if you want to make money, go to work. Perhaps you have already undergone 4 months of industrial training (SIWES) after your ND1, so doing another industrial training after ND2 is your choice.

ALSO READ: 8 Reasons Why Dating Your Course Mate is Good

HOW MANY YEARS OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING? Industrial training is always between 6 months and 1 year, depending on you and the firm you are working with. You can decide to do your I.T for a year or six months.

CAN I APPLY FOR HND PROGRAMS WITHOUT DOING I.T.? Yes, you can further your education to a Higher National Diploma level without partaking in industrial training. Although one year of industrial experience is part of the perquisites for admission consideration to HND, there is nothing much to worry about here as you can get a recommendation from Café and submit it. The school doesn’t verify industrial training (IT). What they need is your recommendation letter which you can get anywhere.