Abstract

The research on effect of students’ industrial work experience scheme on students’ readiness for world of work in Nigeria was undertaken to find out whether students’ industrial work experience scheme (SIWES) has any significant effect on students learning and readiness for life of work with respect to knowledge, skill and attitude improvement while on internship in the industry. The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study from a population of 320 students of vocational and technical education students of FCT College of Education Zuba-Abuja. From the population, a pre, post and control groups sample of 120 students was selected using simple random sampling method. The sample mean recorded a slightly lower standard deviation for all the independent variables with respect to knowledge, skill and attitude, indicating that SIWES does have some positive impact on students. However, the null hypothesis which states that there is no significant difference in the knowledge, skill and attitude mean of students prior to and after SIWES was accepted. The implication of this study is that SIWES as presently implemented in Nigeria cannot achieve any meaningful result with regards to preparing students adequately to function properly in the work place, the programme therefore needs to be reevaluated and appropriate changes made. The study therefore recommended that SIWES programme should be redesigned in such a way that the outcome expected and success achieved through the training programme can be measured. It was also recommended that emphasis should be placed on teaching students organizational ethic while on SIWES so as to acquire the right attitude towards a life of work.

Key words: Practical skill, knowledge, attitude, students’ industrial work experience scheme (SIWES).