EDUCATION

Places Where Welding and Fabrication Engineering Students Can Do Their SIWES/Industrial Training in Nigeria

Welding and Fabrication Engineering is a hands-on discipline that requires practical exposure to real-world industrial processes. For students in this field, the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a vital opportunity to gain practical experience. Choosing the right organization or institution for this training ensures students are exposed to welding, fabrication, machining, and related activities that prepare them for future challenges in the industry.

Here’s a list of places where students studying Welding and Fabrication Engineering in Nigeria can undertake their SIWES or industrial training:

1. Oil and Gas Companies

Oil and gas companies in Nigeria are among the best places for welding and fabrication students to gain practical experience. These companies engage in pipeline construction, welding of offshore and onshore structures, and maintenance of heavy industrial equipment. Students in such settings learn how welding and fabrication techniques are applied to ensure the integrity of oil pipelines, tanks, and platforms.

Examples of companies in this category include:

Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)
Chevron Nigeria Limited
ExxonMobil Nigeria
TotalEnergies Nigeria
Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG)

These companies often have dedicated facilities for welding and fabrication, providing students with exposure to advanced technologies and safety standards.

2. Construction and Civil Engineering Companies

Construction firms regularly employ welding and fabrication for the design and assembly of steel structures, frames, and trusses. Students can observe and participate in creating architectural frameworks, bridges, and other steel constructions.

Examples of companies include:

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc
Dantata & Sawoe Construction Company
Costain West Africa Plc
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC)
Reynolds Construction Company (RCC)

By training with these companies, students can understand how welding and fabrication align with structural engineering and project execution.

3. Manufacturing Industries

The manufacturing sector in Nigeria is another excellent avenue for industrial training. Industries that produce heavy machinery, automobiles, and fabricated products often have dedicated welding and fabrication units.

Prominent companies include:

Dangote Group
Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM)
Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited
Nigerian Breweries Plc
Proforce Limited (armored vehicle production)

Students training in these industries gain exposure to automated welding, metal finishing, and assembly processes, which are crucial for their future careers.

4. Power and Energy Companies

Power generation and distribution companies require skilled welders and fabricators for the maintenance of turbines, power stations, and distribution infrastructure. Welding and Fabrication Engineering students can gain exposure to specialized tasks such as fabricating supports for transmission lines and welding gas turbine components.

Examples include:

Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Power Plants
Egbin Power Plc
Kainji Hydro Power Station
Afam Power Station
Transcorp Power Limited

5. Aviation and Aerospace Companies

Although relatively small, the aviation sector in Nigeria provides niche opportunities for welding and fabrication students. Companies involved in aircraft maintenance and assembly require precision welding and fabrication to maintain airframes and other metal components.

Examples include:

Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT)
Arik Air
Aero Contractors
Air Peace Maintenance Division

Industrial training in aviation exposes students to high-precision welding techniques and safety protocols unique to the sector.

6. Marine and Shipbuilding Companies

Marine engineering and shipbuilding involve extensive use of welding and fabrication in the construction and maintenance of ships, barges, and offshore platforms. Students can gain exposure to underwater welding, sheet metal forming, and structural fabrication.

Examples include:

Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)
West Atlantic Shipyard
Nigerdock Nigeria Plc
Chevron Marine Services

These companies provide valuable opportunities for students to learn in environments where corrosion resistance and marine safety are top priorities.

ALSO READ: Places Where Glass and Ceramic Technology Students Can Do Their SIWES/Industrial Training

7. Small and Medium Welding and Fabrication Workshops

Local workshops and medium-scale fabrication firms offer hands-on experience in welding and metalwork. These workshops cater to various industries by producing gates, railings, tanks, and custom metal parts.

While not as large as multinational companies, these workshops provide practical, one-on-one mentorship and exposure to foundational techniques.

Examples of reputable workshops include:

Proforge Nigeria
Modern Welding Works
Royal Gate and Fabrication Enterprises

These environments help students develop their practical skills and understand local business practices.

8. Automobile and Heavy Equipment Companies

Automobile assembly and heavy equipment manufacturing rely on welding and fabrication for chassis construction, body repairs, and equipment maintenance. Students can gain experience working on large-scale machinery and vehicles.

Examples of companies include:

PAN Nigeria Limited (Peugeot Assembly Nigeria)
Innoson Motors
Simba Group
Leventis Motors
MAN Diesel Nigeria Limited

Training with these companies can broaden a student’s understanding of welding applications in vehicular and equipment production.

9. Research and Training Institutes

Institutes dedicated to technical and vocational training often have workshops for welding and fabrication students to develop their skills. These centers focus on skill enhancement and provide access to various types of welding equipment and techniques.

Examples include:

National Metallurgical Training Institute (NMTI), Onitsha
Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Centers
Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW)

Such institutions focus on capacity building and ensure students understand both practical and theoretical aspects of welding.

ALSO READ: Courses Offered in Metallurgical Training Institute Onitsha and Their School Fees

10. Petrochemical and Refinery Companies

Petrochemical plants and refineries rely heavily on welding and fabrication for pipeline assembly, storage tanks, and process equipment. Training with these companies exposes students to industry-specific techniques and strict safety standards.

Examples include:

Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC)
Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC)
Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company (KRPC)
Eleme Petrochemicals

11. Steel Production Companies

The steel industry provides an excellent opportunity for welding and fabrication students to learn about processes like cutting, shaping, and joining metals. These companies often operate large-scale production facilities where students can see the practical applications of metallurgy and welding.

Examples include:

Ajaokuta Steel Company
Delta Steel Company (DSC)
African Foundries Limited

12. Independent Engineering Firms

Privately owned engineering firms often work on diverse projects, ranging from metal fabrication to machinery repairs. These firms allow students to work on a variety of tasks, from prototype design to the repair of industrial machines.

Examples include: