SIWES mandatory for NYSC mobilisation, HND admission — FedPoly Bauchi rector

The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Alhaji Sani Usman, has told National Diploma (ND) I students that participation in the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is mandatory for their mobilisation for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and admission into the Higher National Diploma (HND) programme.

The Rector stated this on Thursday during the SIWES orientation programme organised for students of the institution.

Represented by the Polytechnic Librarian, Alhaji Yusuf Garba Sintali, the Rector said SIWES had become an essential part of students’ training, stressing that students would be required to provide evidence of participation before proceeding for the NYSC programme.

“SIWES is a regular training given to students every year because it is meant to blend what they learned theoretically in the classroom with practice in the industrial world.

“Most importantly now, it has been made to become a compulsory aspect of student training in the institution because even at NYSC, before they go after graduation, they must show proof that they have done SIWES,” he said.

He urged the students to maintain good conduct during their industrial attachment, noting that they would be representing themselves, their families and the Polytechnic.

Usman advised them to be punctual, respectful and obedient at their places of attachment, adding that their attitude and behaviour could open doors for future opportunities.

Also speaking, the acting Area Manager of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Bauchi Area Office, Naanzem Yilshuut, who represented the Director-General and Chief Executive of the ITF, Dr Afiz Oluwatoyin Ogun, said SIWES was designed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

He urged the students to approach the programme with seriousness and a willingness to learn, saying the experience would prepare them for the challenges of the industrial world and enable them to contribute to the nation’s economy.

The ITF official said measures had been introduced to improve the effectiveness of SIWES, including developing job specifications to enhance practical skills training, strengthening the supervisory role of stakeholders, particularly lecturers, and organising orientation programmes before students commenced their industrial attachment.

He said the scheme was also intended to strengthen the relationship between tertiary institutions and industry by giving employers insight into training needs and standards.

The ITF representative urged institutions, employers, students and other stakeholders to play their respective roles to ensure that the objectives of the scheme were achieved.

He further advised the students not to waste the four-month attachment but to use the period to acquire practical skills, describing skills as the currency of the 21st century.

In his remarks, the Director of SIWES, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Dr Dauda Ali, said the orientation was organised to prepare students for the four-month industrial attachment.

He said the students would be expected to gain practical experience related to what they had learnt in the classroom during the attachment.

Ali explained that the industrial training was also a requirement for students seeking admission into the HND programme.

He urged the students to abide by the rules and regulations of their host organisations and protect the image of the institution throughout the training.