CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW OF SIWES
SIWES was established by ITF in 1973 to solve the problem of lack of adequate
practical skills preparatory for employment in industries by Nigerian graduates of tertiary
institutions It was designed to give Nigerian students studying occupationally-related
courses in higher institutions the experience that would supplement their theoretical
learning. This paper attempts to examine the role of the university in the implementation
of SIWES programed in Nigerian Universities. The paper also among others highlighted
the origin objectives, problems and prospects of SIWES program as related to its
implementation in Nigerian universities. Few recommendations were considered
necessary for effective improvement and implementation of the program to enhance skill
acquisition by Nigerian students studying occupationally-related courses in the
universities in a changing world
It involves the attachment of a student to an organization in line with his/her
respective course of study that can provide the training and experience required in the
industry, as these experience and training cannot be obtained in the lecture rooms but the
theoretical knowledge taught in lecture rooms shall be applied by the student in real
industrial situations. This training/work experience, is an essential component in the
development of the practical and professional skills required of each student by their
respective course of study and also stands as an aid to prospective employment.
Participation in SIWES has become a necessary pre-condition for the award of
Diploma and Degree certificates in specific disciplines in most institutions of higher
learning in the country, in accordance with the education policy of government.
Operators - The ITF, the coordinating agencies (NUC, NCCE, NBTE), employers of
labour and the institutions.
Funding - The Federal Government of Nigeria
I had my training with the firm, Western Construction Company, The Company’s
principal areas of operations include, real estate management, building construction,
project management and building supervision. It was an experience of a lifetime.
1.2 COMPANY’S PROFILE
Western Construction Company (RC. 286589) is a registered engineering firm as a
limited liability company incorporated under the Company and Allied Matters Act of
1990: as engineers, engineering consultants and project managers on 19th January, 1990.
The company is registered with The Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria
(COREN EF 00301) and Association of Consulting Engineers of Nigeria (ACEN F140).
We are relatively young but a dynamic indigenous firm conceived to revolutionize
engineering design, construction process and delivery in Nigeria.
Primarily as engineers and associated services consultants, we are well structured
to handle integrated services including all aspects of engineering design, cost
management and turnkey projects.
With a highly mobile workforce, Western Construction Company can
conveniently undertake projects in any part of the country. Our dynamic team of
engineers, etc, can boast of a wealth of experience from various professional backgrounds
as well as serving a demanding clientele. Our office is strategically located in Benin City
Edo State, with contact offices at other parts of the Nation.
The vision of Western Construction Company is to develop a company that is
“clients-demand-driven” with a view to providing excellent professional services at un-
parallel cost effectiveness. Through extensive use of state of the art computer software,
we are determined to make designs, construction and delivery less hazardous for all our
clients.
1.3 SCOPE OF SERVICES
Our Clients
We offer integrated services to:
Government
Federal
States
Government Parastatals
Corporate organization/bodies/Financial agencies
Private Estate developers
Private Residences
Our Services
Civil/Structural Engineering Consultancy Services
Architectural Consultancy Services
Project Planning & Management
Project Monitoring & Evaluation
Urban and Regional Planning
Surveying
Water/Environmental Engineering
Training & Skills Acquisition
Human Resources Management
Sectoral Studies & Analysis
The Company has executed projects in the engineering field as follows:
a) Structural engineering designs of multi-storey buildings and supervision of same.
b) Design of roads, bridges and drainages.
c) We have the capability for carrying out construction of buildings including
services engineering installations. For complex services engineering projects we
work in conjunction with our associated mechanical/electrical firm.
d) Design and construction of warehouses and workshops.
e) Design and supervision of water retaining structures.
f) We also engage in water supply projects and we were engaged in the drilling of
boreholes during execution of rural water supply projects in the defunct Petroleum
(Special) Trust Fund set up.