What is the impact of Industrial Training on students?

The Industrial Training in NTA Lafia, has been availing students the opportunity of bridging the gap between class theories and actual practical experience.

The scheme which is coordinated by the Industrial Training Fund through the Students Industrial Works Experience Scheme (SIWES), takes the participating students through the rudiments of the six departments in the NTA.

From the feedback so far, the Industrial Training in NTA has impacted so much on the students especially in the areas of content and quality broadcasting in meeting the needs of the people.

From the practical training gotten during the SIWES, students are able to generate story ideas, follow up on such stories and disseminate same to the public professionally.

Mr Achigili Magaji (Manager, News and Current Affairs, NTA, Lafia)

Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) in Nigeria, provides students of polytechnics and universities the chance to mingle with professionals, gain some work experience and problem solving skills as it gives them the opportunity to practice what they learned in theory. Notwithstanding SIWES advantages, there are some salient challenges observed.

Most students lack proper written English language skills and pronunciation. In some cases, social media language is utilized when filling SIWES logbooks and one begins to wonder if it is simply an evolution of the English language.

The onus is on the higher institutions to re-evaluate SIWES durations to maximise the practical advantages of the  scheme and of course, see to it that extra English lessons are provided in between semesters for those in need of it or interested in sharpening their competitive edge.

Hembafan Tilley-Gyado (Principal Producer, NTA Makurdi)

Internship is part of the curriculum, and it is a requirement which must be met before a student graduates.

The impact of industrial training has not been fully utilized because when they return, the difference is not much, reasons being that even the students studying chemistry, go for the industrial training to places like the water board, and the clinics and since chemistry is a chemical course, the effect on them is not helpful and considering the limited places where students are too much, they don’t acquire enough experience that they are supposed to, rather, they end up doing group work.

By this, the school calendar affects their industrial training because they don’t spend the required time which they are supposed to.

Since lecturers already have a lot on their hands, the government, the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) and also the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) can be of help, by being the drivers and ensuring that the industrial attachment is done properly.

Dr Raphael Amokaha (Lecturer)

The positive impact of the industrial training in the life of students, is tremendous. It gives them the chance to relate to what is possible or imagined.

There are many topics in some disciplines that you cannot have a full comprehension of without a practical experience in dealing with some kinds of problems because theoretical knowledge alone cannot solve every puzzle and would not warrant some employments after school.

This training provides an opportunity for students to come to terms with the reality of what they have learned in school and I must confess at this point that, I am also a beneficiary of this very training as it is within my short period of internship with The Voice newspaper that I was able to clearly understand some of the studies that I had acquired in the time past.

Mr Tersoo Pam (Student)

The impact of Industrial Training on students is so enormous.

I just rounded off mine at Lafia in Nasarawa State, and I have come to realize that the IT acts as an important part in preparing a student for a professional career.

I personally have an opportunity to put into practice what I have learned so far during my studies.

Industrial Training enhances the enthusiasm and commitment toward work and it gives a lifelong learning experience and gives an opportunity to engage with the profession with which they aspire in a realistic work environment.

It improves the overall skills of the student, I learned to work as a team, it improves communication skills by giving presentations and making reports.

The student also learns much about managerial skills.

Miss Cynthia Sunday (Student)

It is generally believed that the best and fastest way of learning, is practical and that is where Industrial Training becomes indispensable.

IT is very important to students provided the right thing is done at the right time.

This is because when properly done, IT exposes  students to the reality of what they are learning, mostly in theories thereby creating an avenue for them to apply the theories of what they learnt in school in practical.

For example, a student in the welding and fabrication department, may understand what has been taught him or her while receiving the practical training from professional welders.

When that is done, it does not only serve as a morale booster to the students but also help them learn very fast and with ease, since most of the schools do not have enough and needed facilities as well as manpower to carry out regular practical sessions for the betterment of the students.

Mr Terhemba Nashakyaa (Lecturer)