SIWES: The Genesis and Influence on National Growth

and Development

DR. E. A. TAIWO

Ag. DIRECTOR,

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING COORDINATING UNIT,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE,

NIGERIA

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[ITF Statement number 1, of 1973] o Great emphasis will be placed on assisting certain products of post-

secondary school system to adopt or orientate easily to their possible post-graduation job environments. The Fund will seek to work out cooperative machinery with industry, whereby students in institutions of higher learning may receive training in industry or commerce compatible with their areas of study. The Fund will support such mid-career attachments by contributing to the allowances etc. payable to the students.

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What is SIWES? -Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme

SIWES is an inter-mix of theory and practice designed to expose students of tertiary institutions to the world of work. It is a skills training programme geared towards the preparation of students of the Universities, Polytechnics/Colleges of Education to real life work situation after graduation. The Scheme is for students Engineering and Technology including Environmental, Agriculture, Technical and Business Studies in higher institutions in Nigeria. D

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The Genesis • SIWES established in 1973 by Decree No. 47 of 1973

The I T F established the SIWES in 1973 due to the identified need in graduates of tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

There was a gap between the learning acquired by graduates of Nigeria’s tertiary institution and the skills repertoire required in the industry.

• generally lack hands-on or practical skills and orientations that would make them productive.

SIWES was then introduced by the ITF as a planned and structure programme based on stated and specific career objectives, geared towards developing the occupational competencies of participants.

• It commenced in 1974 with 748 students from 11 institutions

• By 1978 it grew to 32 institutions with 4,713 students (for courses in Engineering and Technology disciplines in Universities, Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology.

• the financial involvement became unbearable to the ITF.

• hence ITF withdrew support for Polytechnic and Colleges of Technology

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• 1979, Federal Ministry of Education made it compulsory for all students of Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology to undergo a One-year IT programme

Even then, the commitment was still much that by January 1980, ITF withdrew from financing SIWES.

• 1979-1984, Federal Government used NUC and NBTE to fund the scheme.

NBTE during this period renamed the SIWES as COSITA

• COSITA : Compulsory Supervised Industrial Training Attachment.

• In1984 the scheme was expanded to include more courses in sciences, environmental sciences, agriculture and some other professional but non-technical courses.

• In 1985 FG legally backed the scheme by Decree No. 16 of August 1985.

• this required that ‘all students enrolled in specialized engineering, technical, business, applied sciences and applied arts should have supervised industrial attachment as part of their studies’ .

• ITF was equally directed to take charge and resume responsibility for the management of SIWES in collaboration with the supervising agencies (i.e. NUC, NBTE).

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o Industrial Attachment, Grants and Reimbursement (IAGR) Department of ITF was responsible for SIWES administration then.

o Presently, the various departments in ITF include (i) Administrative and human resource, (ii) Finance and accounts, (iii) Business Training Development, (iv) Field Services, (v) Industrial Training Development, (vi) Consultancy Research and Information Technology.

• 1985-1995, number of students and institutions taking part is SIWES rose from 16,875 and 58 to 57,433 and 141 respectively.

• 2005, 177 institutions and 134,217 students were participating in SIWES

• 2008, 219 institutions and 210,390 students participated.

• 2010, 244 institutions and 148,349 students

• As at 2011, 244 institutions participated; comprising of 77 Universities; 103 Polytechnics; 64 Colleges of Education

• 2013, 252 institutions comprising 93 Universities, 97 polytechnics and 62 colleges of education.

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SOURCES OF REVENUE

• 3% Employers turn-over be contributed annually by decree 47 of 1971

o Reduced to 2% by amended decree 37 of 1973

o Reviewed to the current rate of 1% of annual pay roll.

• To be paid not later than 1st April of the following year.

o Non compliance attracts fine of 5% of amount unpaid after 1st April in addition to full payment of outstanding levy.

• Subvention from Federal Government

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OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

• Provide avenue for students to acquire skills and experience in their course of study. It was restricted to Engineering and Technology, including Environmental studies and other courses that may be approved

• Prepare students for the industrial work situation they are to meet after graduation.

• Expose students to work method and techniques in handling equipment and machinery that may not be available in their institution.

• Make transition from school to world of work easier and enhance students contacts for later job placements.

• Provide the students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice.

• Enlist and strengthen employers involvement in the entire educational process.

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STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED IN SIWES ORGANISATION AND OPERATION

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND (SIWES DIVISION)

THE SUPERVISING/REGULATORY AGENCIES

NUC National Universities Commission

NBTE National Board for Technical Education

NCCE National Commission for Colleges of Education

EMPLOYERS OF LABOUR

NECA National Employers Consultative Association

NACCIMA Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture

MAN Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria

Government establishments FIIRO, NAFDAC, NABDA, NDLEA, Ministries

TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS – Universities, Polytechnics/Monotechnics,

Colleges of Education.

STUDENT TRAINEE

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ITF

Federal Government

Supervising Agency

Tertiary Institution

Organised Private Sector

10 Relationship among SIWES stakeholders

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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

• Provide adequate fund to the ITF through Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

• Make policies to guide and regulate the scheme at the national level.

• Make it mandatory for all ministries, companies and parastatals to offer places for the attachment of students in accordance with the provision of Decree No. 47 of 1974 as amended in 1990.

• Section 7A(1)(b) stipulates as follows ‘shall accept students for industrial attachment purposes’

• 7A(2) ‘any employer who is in breach of the provision of the sub-section (1) of this section should be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to conviction: (a) in case of a corporate body, to a fine of N5,000:00 for the first breach and N10,000:00 for subsequent breach; and (b) in the case of Chief Executive, Secretary or other principal officers of the company to a fine of N1,000:00 or two years imprisonment without option of fine for each subsequent breach’.

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• As amended in 2011 • Section 8(1)(b) stipulates as follows ‘shall accept students for industrial attachment

purposes’

• 7A(2) ‘any employer who is in breach of the provision of the sub-section (1) of this section should be guilty of an offence under this Act and liable to conviction: (a) in case of a corporate body, to a fine of five hundred thousand (N500,000:00) for the first breach and One million naira (N1,000,000:00) for subsequent breach; and (b) in the case of Chief Executive, Secretary or other principal officers of the company to a fine of fifty thousand naira (N50,000:00) or two years imprisonment for the first breach and three years imprisonment without option of fine for each subsequent breach’.

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INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND • Formulate policies and guidelines on SIWES for all the SIWES participating

bodies, institution and companies involved in the Scheme.

• Regularly organize orientation programmes.

• Process Master and Placement Lists.

• Supervise students on industrial attachment.

• Disburse supervisory and students allowances.

• Organize biennial SIWES national conference and SIWES review meetings.

• Provide insurance cover for students on attachment.

• Provide logistics and materials necessary for effective administration of the scheme, e.g. ITF Form 8, SPE 1, SIP A forms etc.

• Ensure the visitation tour of ITF officers to the supervising agencies, institution, employers and students on attachment.

• Provide information on companies for attachment and assist in the industrial placement of students.

• Vet and process students’ log books and ITF Form 8.

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SUPERVISING AGENCIES

• Ensure the establishment & accreditation of SIWES Units in institutions under their jurisdiction;

• Direct for the appointment of full-time SIWES coordinator.

• Ensure adequate funding of the SIWES units in all institutions.

• Vet and approve Master and Placement lists of students from participating institutions and forward same to the ITF.

• Develop, monitor and review job-specifications in collaboration with the institutions towards the maintenance of national minimum academic standard for all programmes approved for SIWES.

• Liaise with ITF and participate in the Biennial SIWES national conference and other relevant SIWES seminars, conferences and workshops.

• Continuously monitor and review the job specifications of all the courses.

• Research into the development of SIWES in line with advances in technological development.

• Regularly review courses qualified for SIWES in collaboration with other bodies.

• Liaise with ITF to ensure the implementation of all federal government policies on the scheme.

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THE TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS • Establish SIWES Coordinating Units with a separated account, adequately staffed and

funded to ensure effective operation on the scheme.

• Appoint SIWES Coordinator and supporting staff.

• Prepare and submit Master and Placement lists not later than 31st March and 31st May of each SIWES year respectively, to ITF. Submission must be made through the Supervising Agency.

• Award appropriate credit units to SIWES in accordance with Federal Government minimum academic standard guidelines; (SWEP-3 Units; SIWES I – 3 Units and SIWES II – 9 Units),

• Identify placement opportunities for Students’ attachment with employers.

• Supervise students at their places of attachment and sign their logbooks.

• Assess students performance at the end of the training.

• Organize orientation courses in collaboration with the ITF for their students.

• Submit comprehensive reports on the scheme to ITF through their supervising agencies on ITF Form 8A at the end of every year’s programme.

• Ensure payment of outstanding allowances and rend all returns to the ITF during SIWES year.

• Submit all completed ITF Form 8 to the nearest ITF area office.

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THE EMPLOYERS

• collaborate with institutions in the preparation of job specifications for approved courses for SIWES.

• accept Students for Industrial Attachment as stipulated in ITF decree No. 47 of 1973 as amended in 2011.

• provide welfare services e.g. Medical care and pay for hospitalization of students while on attachment whenever need arises. This is within the limits of conditions of service.

• Participate fully in the assessment of programmes/students by completing the necessary instruments-e.g. ITF Form 8, logbooks etc.

• allow students access to their facilities.

• appoint an industry based supervisor for students on attachment.

• Permit representatives of ITF and institution based supervisors to visit the students on attachment.

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Interactions During SIWES

Tertiary Instituion

ITF Area Office (SIWES Unit) -about 36 locations across the

country

Student Trainee

Employers (Industry,

Government)

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THE STUDENTS • To attend institution’s SIWES orientation programme before going on attachment

• To be obedient to constituted authorities and adhere strictly to all rules and regulations of the organization where a student is attached.

• To be regular and punctual at respective places of attachment

• To avoid change of place of attachment, except in special circumstances which must be determined and approved by their institution's supervisors, the employer and the ITF.

• To complete SPE-1 Form and get it endorsed by the employer for onward submission to ITF

‣ To record all training activities and other assignments in logbook and complete ITF Form 8 to ensure proper assessments.

‣ To be diligent, honest, conscientious, take pride in the protection of employers property throughout the attachment period.

‣ Dressing corporately

‣ Safeguarding the patent right of organization.

‣ Safety Precaution.

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SIWES DURATION AND ALLOWANCES

Duration:

• Engineering and Technology students in universities.

The training is 3-tier. o SWEP -Students Workshop Experience Program –3 units

-3 months at the end of Part II

o SIWES I – Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme I – 3 Units

– 3 months at the end of Part III

o SIWES II - Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme II – 9 Units

– 6 months during Part IV rain semester and long vacation

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Allowances Students’ allowance

~ 1974 – N30/month ~ 1976 – N90/month ~ 1981 – N250/month ~ 2000 – N2,500/month

o Supervisory allowance ~ 10% of students’ allowance per month

Payment mode

• Paid through the employers • Later through the institutions • Now directly to students account by ITF

• Conditions

• Satisfactory completion of 6 months SIWES, evidenced from Logbooks, Form 8 and Form SPE-1.

• Adequate vetting of logbooks. • etc

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Policy/Reforms: SIWES had undergone drastic reforms oFrom two-tier to three-tier (1992) oLimitation of funding to six months only.(1997-98) oFunding limited to single stretch six-months SIWES (2005) oNow e-payments (2009) oCurrent policy is complete 6-months or no payment.

• E-payment system evolution is a major reform.

o efficient and effectiveness with transparency and accountability.

• The two modes of payments that have been employed

previously

o through employers and Institutions

o Institutions

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Challenges of the two modes of payments are:

o Delays in payments and sometimes non-payments of allowances to benefiting students.

o Inability to pay all eligible students through employers necessitating the use of SIP in paying outstanding students allowances through institutions.

o Inaccurate claims for re-imbursement of paid allowances. o Misappropriation of students allowances by some employers. o Students already paid by employers also claiming allowances

through institutions. o Difficulties in making correct returns to the ITF after making payments to

students by institutions. o Undue delays on the part of institutions in paying of allowances to each

student through the issuance of individual cheques. o Attempts by some institutions to inflate the number of students eligible

for payment of the allowances.

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•Other challenges associated with the payment of students allowances are:

o Agitations, sometimes violent, by students for payment of their allowances.

o The bad image portrayed by activities of restive students. o Delays in completion and submission of ITF form 8A to the ITF by

institutions.

E-PAYMENT SYSTEM • E-payment is a subset of e-government (emerging from 2009 budget presentation by the President to National Assembly) – Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua

• the application of electronic means in the interaction between Government and citizens and Government and Businesses.

• A direct payment and banking without physical appearance of the Agencies or Bank through the means of electronic interactive communication channels and other technological process.

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The implications: oThe use of cheques or cash payments of supervisory allowances and students allowances discontinued; oNo physical contact between accounts officials in ITF offices and beneficiaries oThe effective use of computer and computer software applications.

Prospects of e-payment o Easy tracking of payments to Beneficiaries’ Accounts hence assist Audit Trail; o It reduces cases of corruption; o Overall increase in the efficiency of operation:

Reduced transaction costs o Increased convenience of payment:

Payment can be made swiftly and remotely using various devices. o Improve the quality of financial reports

Transparency and Accountability improved; o Eliminates Writing of cheques:

The risk associated with cheques been stolen, forging of signature and disparity between amount in words and figures will be eliminated totally.

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Benefits • SIWES has been beneficial to Nigerian populace. The benefits of this

partnership to the institutions include the following

• It complements the theoretical knowledge imparted to the students while in school.

• Students are able to put into practice a lot of theoretical works already done in school. The become informed and facilitate the teaching work of teachers on return to school.

• Staff on supervisory visits to industry will also have opportunities of interacting with real operations and discussion with industrial staff and could help updating their research studies.

• Close collaboration between institutions and the industry. Industry have opportunities of discovering potentials and expertise of departments and institution.

• Students developing their intellectual skills as they are often left on their own to take technical decision, analyze complex interdisciplinary problems and proffer solutions to real situation.

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• The industries on the other hand by, accepting students

• they have the opportunity of screening potential employee and determine their employability after graduation.

• Reduction in the cost of human capacity development for their company. The employee can be put straight on expected responsibilities.

• Industries have direct link with institution and can have access to pool of knowledge and research outputs in the institutions.

• Nationally,

• helps the growth and development of industries

• Man-power development etc.

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CONCLUSION

• SIWES is in the fore-front in building a solid base for self-reliance in technological development.

• Therefore play your roles effectively so as to achieve the objectives of the Scheme.

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Thank You

Ready for your questions

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