SIWES UNIT

The Background of SIWES Unit

In compliance to decree number 16 of 1985, the Polytechnic Management established a Unit under Rectory to handle all SIWES related matters and from inception of Federal Polytechnic Bali, in 2010 the Unit was operated and manned by the SIWES Coordinator, who is responsible for all its activities and in 2015/2016 they were allocated an office space in the TETFUND building with three staff (Confidential Secretary, Higher Executive Officer and Clerical Assistant) and presently, the Polytechnic has fifteen (15) participating departments and the SIWES Unit which had been reaccredited 2024 by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).

At the initial the SIWES program commences with five participating departments in the Polytechnic to include; Agricultural Technology, Computer Science Technology, Office Technology & Management, Science Laboratory Technology and Statistics. Later, six participating departments were added in the Polytechnic as a result of new departments were accredited by the NBTE to include; Agric & Bio-Environment Engineering, Agricultural Technology, Animal Health and Production Technology, Building Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology, Electrical & Electronics Engineering Technology. Recently, Accountancy and Library and Information Science form part of the SIWES participating department. Each of the thirteen (13) participating departments has Departmental SIWES Coordinator overseeing the operation as well as dedicated staff that are ready to supervise students on Industrial Attachment. Marketing and Public Administration also participate in SIWES program but without students benefitting from the ITF allowances.

The SIWES Unit has tremendously achieved in ITF payments of outstanding students and supervisory allowances as 100% of Supervisory Allowances SIWES Years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 have been paid into the Polytechnic Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the same Students Allowances for the SIWES years 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 respectively, have been paid into various students’ bank accounts. So also, SIWES years 2023 and 2024 for both students and supervisory allowance were paid by the ITF.

Considering the aforementioned, it is clear from the adage that no civilization can make significant advancements unless its young people are encouraged to acquire the essential practical skills. For example, these abilities allow students to use the resources at their disposal to address societal needs. The goal of the SIWES program is to close the current gap between theory and practical science, technology, and other professional education programs at Nigerian postsecondary institutions. This scheme is mandatory and serves as a prerequisite for the award of National Diploma in academic fields.

However, the Unit has been man by six successive SIWES Coordinators and Ag. Director SIWES from inception to this day as follow.

The Important of SIWES

The importance of SIWES cannot be overemphasized. It provides students with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in real life situation. Also, it exposes students to more practical work methods and techniques. It equally strengthens the links between the employers, the polytechnics and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). More so, it prepares the students for the labour market after graduation from school. The Students’ Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), therefore, is aimed at giving the students the opportunity to relate and translate their theoretical knowledge to the real world of work.

A well-run SIWES program in higher education institutions will enable the nation to produce and meet its industrial technological professional demands. Industrial Training is also important for nations wishing to increase their student trainees, change their rate of growth in other directions to stabilize or modify their current pattern of Industrial Training program exercise in tertiary institutions.

Objectives of SIWES

1. Provide an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial skills and experience in their course of study.
2. Prepare students for the industrial work situation they are to meet after graduation.
3. Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institutions.
4. Make the transition from school to the work of work easier, and enhance students’ contacts for later job placement.

Payment of Students Allowances

Federal Government of Nigeria plays vital roles by

1. Providing adequate funds to the Industrial Training Fund through the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for the Scheme
2. Making it mandatory for all ministries, Companies and Parastatals to offer places for the attachment of students in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 47 of 1971 as amended in 2011. The relevant provisions of the amended act are as follows:

Section 7A (1) (b) stipulates as follows:

Shall Accept Students for Industrial Attachment Purposes

The Decree under section 7A (1) (2) stipulate penalties in default of section 7A (1) (b)

Section 7A (2)

“Any employer who is in breach of the provision of the sub-section (1) of this section shall be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to conviction:

• In case of a corporate body, to a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00) for the first breach and One million Naira (N1000,000.00) for subsequent breaches; and
• In the case of Chief Executive, Secretary or other Principal Officers of the company, to a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira or two years imprisonment for the first breach and three years’ imprisonment without option of a fine for each subsequent breach.

Management of SIWES Unit

The Polytechnic SIWES Coordinator is appointed to man the Unit with the assistance of three staff: Confidential Secretary, Higher Executive Officer and Clerical Assistant. In compliance with decree No. 16 of 1985 the SIWES Unit has produced a blueprint for the institution as a road map to the entire activities and duty performs by the Unit/Directorate among others is:

1. Compilation of Master List: This is a document that contains the names of all the eligible students for SIWES Funding from the participating departments after matriculation of a particular session.

Four copies of the Master List are sent to National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for vetting and forwarding to the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) Headquarters.

2. Scouting of Places of Attachment: After the preparation of the Master List, suitable places of attachment are scouted to place the students for the industrial training exercise.
3. Compilation of Placement List: This is a document that contains the names of all the students who have successfully secured places of attachment.

4. Orientation of Students: Orientation course is usually organized for the students before leaving to their various places of attachment.
5. Supervision of Students: Students are visited at least four times while on attachment for the duration of four months.
6. Preparation of Payment List: With the introduction of E-Payment, a document that contains the names of all the students and the organization where they have undertaken the training attachment are prepared.
7. Vetting of Log Book: Individual student’s log book is vetted in the course of the visit to ascertain compliance with the objectives of the SIWES program.
8. Sending of Students to One Year IT: The National policy on Technical Education requires that National Diploma/Diploma holders would have to acquire at least one-year Industrial Experience.
9. Bank Account: As requested by the law, the Unit shall have a separate bank account in one of the commercial Banks for the purpose of the SIWES program.

SIWES Forms

Student Commencement of Attachment Form (SCAF): To be given to all students during pre-attachment orientation program.

ITF Form 8: This is the End of Program Report Sheet to be completed by Students, Employers and institutions before the forms are sent to ITF Headquarters through the Area Offices.

Summary

The Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, the Industrial Training Fund, institutions of higher learning, employers of labour, and students' participation in the administration and management of the Scheme are all necessary for the SIWES Scheme to advance.

It is important to note that the Scheme aims to promote the necessary technological know-how for the country's advancement. This admirable program, along with others, will undoubtedly produce the highly skilled labour force needed to build the indigenous, self-sufficient economy that Nigeria envisions.