Overview of SIWES in Nigeria
Overview of SIWES in Nigeria
The Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) was introduced by the
Industrial Training Fund (ITF) in 1973 to provide students in tertiary institutions with
practical industrial exposure related to their field of study before graduation. The program
was designed to acquaint students with real industrial environments and help them develop
technical and professional competencies necessary for effective participation in the nation’s
economic and technological advancement after graduation.
Students who actively engage in SIWES gain valuable technical skills and hands-on
experience that become lifelong assets. The knowledge and abilities acquired during the
training are internalized and remain useful throughout their professional careers.
According to the Industrial Training Fund Policy Document No. 1 of 1973, which established
SIWES, the scheme has become a prerequisite for the award of Diplomas and Degrees in
various technical and professional disciplines across Nigerian tertiary institutions, as
stipulated by government educational policy. The main objectives of SIWES are to:
a) Provide opportunities for students to acquire practical industrial skills and experience
during their course of study.
b) Prepare students for the real industrial work environment they are likely to encounter after
graduation.
c) Expose students to modern work methods, tools, and machinery that may not be available
in their institutions.
d) Enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life situations, thus bridging the gap
between classroom learning and industrial practice.
e) Encourage and strengthen employers’ participation in the educational process and enhance
students’ employability in industry and commerce
Various bodies are in the scheme and these are mentioned below with some of their roles
enumerated as specify by National University Commission (NUC).
a. The Federal government: They make funds available to the federal ministry
of industry to finance the scheme. They also make it mandatory for all ministries,
company and government parastatals to offer attachment place for student.
The firm specializes in the construction of roads, bridges, residential and commercial
buildings, estates, markets, hospitals, and hotels. It also offers services in land surveying,
property management, importation and sales of building materials, and other related
engineering services. MIO Construction Company handles new construction, rehabilitation,
renovation, and maintenance projects, delivering quality, sustainable, and safe solutions that
meet client needs.
Over the years, the company has executed several major projects across Nigeria, including
the construction works at Federal Polytechnic Oko, Oye-Agu Abagana Ultra-Modern Market,
and the survey and design of the OCCF (Glorious City Estate) in Aguleri, Anambra State. It
has also been involved in large-scale surveying and layout design projects such as the 500-
hectare Akune-kehe Community Development Project in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State.
The company is known for its commitment to quality service delivery, innovation, and client
satisfaction, maintaining a strong reputation as one of the fastest-growing construction and
property management firms in Nigeria.
2.1.0 THE DEPARTMENTS
1. Finance/Account
2. Human Resources/Administration
3. Technology/Information
4. Business Development
5. Project/Operations
6. Procurement
7. Legal
2.1.1 VISION
To build a better tomorrow from the world today, and a world class business that provides the
utmost needs of the clients.
2.1.2 MISSION
To serve and satisfy the clients through excellent services by integrating our core values with
the best technology and proven building practices.
CHAPTER THREE
During my industrial training attachment at MIO Group of Companies, I was assigned to the
construction of a drainage channel for erosion control at Central Primary School, Okpuno. I
observed the construction process in the project from the commencement of work to its
completion, gaining valuable hands-on experience in various aspects of the construction
process. In this chapter, I will discuss in detail the activities I observed throughout the
execution of the drainage construction project.
The construction of the drainage channel at Central Primary School, Okpuno, was carried out
in several sequential stages to ensure structural stability, durability, and effective water flow.
The stages are described below:
The first stage of the drainage construction involved the clearing of vegetation, debris, and
other obstructions along the proposed drainage alignment. This process is essential for
preparing the site for subsequent construction activities. It involved the removal of bushes,
trees, old structures, and unwanted materials within the designated construction area.
The clearing operation was carried out using both manual labor and mechanical equipment;
Backhoe loader, which were used to uproot trees, remove shrubs, and clear the topsoil. Care
was taken to ensure that all roots and stumps were completely removed, and the resulting
holes were properly filled and compacted with suitable fill materials to provide a stable and
level working surface.
After clearing, setting out was carried out using measuring tapes, pegs, and leveling
instruments to accurately define the boundaries and levels of the drainage channel. This
ensured that the subsequent excavation followed the designed alignment, gradient, and slope.
3.2.2 EXCAVATION
After the site clearing and setting out were completed, the next stage involved the excavation
of the drainage channel along the pegged alignment. Excavation was carried out using an
excavator to the required depth and width according to the design specifications. However,
the excavation was made larger than the actual drainage dimensions to allow sufficient
working space for the installation of formwork, reinforcement, and concrete casting.
After the excavation was completed and the dimensions verified, a layer of blinding concrete
was placed at the base of the drainage channel. The blinding served as a smooth and clean
working surface for the placement of reinforcement and formwork. It also prevented direct
contact between the structural concrete and the soil, which could lead to contamination and
reduced concrete strength.
Once the blinding layer had set, reinforcement work commenced. The reinforcement was
prepared and cut according to design specifications using Y10 bars at 250mm c/c spacing.
The steel bars were arranged both longitudinally and transversely to provide adequate
strength and structural stability against earth pressure and hydraulic forces.
The reinforcement was tied together using binding wire to maintain proper alignment and
spacing during concreting. Concrete cover blocks were placed beneath and along the
reinforcement to ensure the minimum required concrete cover was maintained, thereby
protecting the steel from corrosion.
Proper inspection was carried out to ensure that all reinforcement was correctly positioned
and secured before the next stage of construction began.
After the reinforcement and blinding were properly set, casting of the drainage base slab
commenced. The concrete used was mixed in the ratio of half bag of cement to six buckets of
both coarse and fine aggregate, providing adequate strength and durability to resist the loads
from the drainage walls and flowing water. Before pouring, the formwork for the base edges
was checked to ensure correct alignment and slope. Concrete was mixed using a mechanical
mixer and placed in layers to avoid segregation. It was then vibrated using a mechanical
vibrator to eliminate air pockets and achieve full compaction.
Fig 3.2 Casting of Base Drain
The surface of the base slab was leveled and finished smoothly to the designed slope of 0.2
per 10 meters, ensuring efficient water flow. After casting, the concrete was cured for at least
seven days to prevent cracking and to achieve the desired strength before the wall formwork
was installed.
After the base slab had properly set and gained sufficient strength, formwork installation for
the drainage side walls was carried out. The formwork was constructed using marine boards.
These boards were firmly braced and supported to prevent buckling or displacement during
concrete casting.
Before installation, the surface of the marine boards was coated with a lubricant mixture of
condemned oil and diesel to prevent concrete from sticking to the surface, allowing for easy
removal after curing and a smooth wall finish. The formwork panels were placed linearly in a
sequential order, properly nailed, aligned, and plumbed to ensure the walls were straight and
vertical. Additional cross bracing was provided for stability and to resist the pressure exerted
by fresh concrete during casting.
All reinforcement works, including those for both the base and side walls, had been
completed and inspected prior to the formwork installation. Once the formwork was secured,
M25 grade concrete was poured into the formwork in layers. The concrete was vibrated
thoroughly to remove air pockets and ensure full compaction.
After casting, the wall surfaces were finished neatly, and the concrete was cured for at least
seven days to gain strength and prevent cracking. The formwork was then carefully removed,
leaving a clean and uniform wall surface.
After the wall casting was completed, curing of the drainage structure commenced
immediately to enhance the strength and durability of the concrete. Curing was done by
sprinkling water regularly on the concrete surfaces, ensuring that the concrete retained
adequate moisture during the hydration process. This step helped prevent surface cracking
and improved the overall structural integrity of the drainage.
Once the curing process was completed and the concrete had gained sufficient strength,
backfilling was carried out along both sides of the drainage channel. The excavated soil was
replaced in layers and compacted manually and mechanically to restore the ground to its
original level. Proper compaction was ensured to avoid future settlement or erosion around
the drainage.
The finishing stage involved cleaning the drainage surfaces and removing all debris and
excess materials. The interior surfaces were inspected for honeycombs or weak spots, and
any identified defects were repaired immediately. The top edges of the walls were finished
neatly to allow smooth flow of storm water without obstruction.
This final stage marked the completion of the 250-meter-long reinforced concrete drainage
channel, which was designed and constructed to effectively control erosion and improve
water flow within the Central Primary School, Okpuno environment.
3.3.0 CONCLUSION
The construction of the drainage system at Central Primary School, Okpuno, provided
valuable hands-on experience in the practical aspects of civil engineering works. The project
involved several critical stages, including site clearing, setting out, excavation, reinforcement
placement, formwork construction, and concrete casting. Each stage was executed with
careful supervision and adherence to standard procedures to ensure structural stability and
proper flow efficiency.
During the course of my industrial training at MIO Group of Companies, emphasis was
placed not only on site activities but also on developing technical proficiency in various
engineering and design software. This was aimed at equipping interns with modern digital
skills essential for today’s construction and design industry.
The software training focused on three major applications widely used in the architectural
and structural design process:
These software tools were taught sequentially, with each one building upon the knowledge of
the previous. By the end of the training, I had developed a strong understanding of how to
integrate architectural and structural designs using these programs.
3.4.1 AUTOCAD
Upon the commencement of software training, students were first introduced to AutoCAD
(Fig 4.0). AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) software used primarily for creating
2D drawings and layouts. It is a fundamental tool in the architecture, engineering, and
construction industries for producing precise and standardized technical drawings.
During the internship, I used AutoCAD mainly for architectural floor plans and elevations, as
well as for preparing drawings for structural design. I also used it to create general
arrangement (GA) drawings, dividing floor plans into panels, placing columns, and adding
gridlines and beams in preparation for export into ProtaStructure.
3.4.2 ARCHICAD
ArchiCAD is a Building Information Modeling (BIM) software that allows architects and
engineers to design buildings in both 2D and 3D environments. It is widely used for
architectural visualization, documentation, and rendering.
During my training, I learned how to develop floor plans, create elevations and sections, and
model 3D structures from scratch using ArchiCAD. The training began with basic design
tasks like wall creation and window placement, progressing to more complex designs such as
a duplex building.
1. Wall Tool – Creates walls with adjustable dimensions, thickness, and materials.
3. Roof Tool – Creates various roof types (flat, hip, or gable) with customizable
slopes.
5. Door Tool – Inserts different door types such as hinged or sliding doors.
6. Stair Tool – Generates staircases with customizable rise, tread, and railing
properties.
8. Beam Tool – Adds horizontal structural elements that connect columns or walls.
10. Object Tool – Adds furniture and other components from the ArchiCAD library.
11. Dimension Tool – Adds and adjusts dimensions to ensure accuracy in drawings.
CTRL + E – Rotate
CTRL + D – Drag
CTRL + U – Multiply
ArchiCAD was one of the major software I learned during my industrial training. It is used
for architectural modeling and 3D visualization of building designs. The process I followed in
creating a building design using ArchiCAD is explained below:
1. Creating the Floor Plan: I began with a sketch of the proposed floor plan. In
ArchiCAD, I selected the Wall Tool and used it to draw the walls according to the
dimensions in the sketch. Using the Copy and Drag commands, I was able to duplicate
walls where needed, and any unwanted portions were trimmed off.
2. Inserting Openings (Doors and Windows): After placing the walls, I proceeded to
add doors, windows, and openings using their respective tools. The sizes and positions
were based on the provided architectural drawing or standard design measurements.
3. Placing the Slab: A slab was placed under the walls using the Slab Tool to represent
the floor. The slab thickness used was 600 mm, and I adjusted the color to differentiate
it from other structural components.
4. Adding Upper Floors: For multi-storey buildings, the ground floor design was copied
and pasted onto the next floor using the Story Tool. The slab thickness and colors were
then adjusted, and necessary changes were made to the wall placements where needed.
5. Roof Design: After completing the floor layouts, I used the Roof Tool to create the
roof. The roof thickness and angle of elevation were adjusted, and the wall outlines
were traced to get the correct roof shape.
ProtaStructure is a powerful structural analysis and design software used by civil and
structural engineers to model, analyze, and design reinforced concrete and steel structures
according to various design codes.
The training on ProtaStructure began with importing general arrangement drawings from
AutoCAD. The software was then used to create a 3D structural model of the building, apply
loads, and perform structural analysis and design for elements such as columns, beams, slabs,
and footings.
1. Beam Tool – Creates horizontal members that support slabs and connect
columns.
6. Building Analysis Tab – Here, important values of structural members are set
and also analysis is also carried out to identify failed members.
During my industrial training, I was introduced to the use of Protastructure for structural
modeling, design, and analysis of reinforced concrete structures. The process I followed is
outlined below:
Next, gridlines are created on a dedicated layer and positioned at the center of each wall, both
horizontally and vertically. Columns are then placed at the intersections of selected gridlines,
following design guidelines (for example, ensuring that the total area of a panel does not
exceed 30 - 32 m²).
Column dimensions are initially assumed and later adjusted if any member fails during
analysis. These columns determine beam placement and divide the plan into panels.
After completing the general arrangement, the drawing is exported as a DXF file using the
Wblock command for import into Protastructure.
Protastructure is then opened, and a new project is created by assigning a project name and
selecting the desired design code (Eurocode was used in this case).
Using File > Import External, the DXF file is imported. During import, the gridline and
column layers are activated, and measurement units are confirmed.
3. Modeling Stage
b. Slab Creation: Slabs are placed over each panel by selecting the
enclosed areas. The slab thickness used was 150 mm (or 200 mm for
panels exceeding 30 m²). The dead load was set to 2.2 kN/m² and
imposed load to 1.5 kN/m².
4. Pre-Analysis Setup
a. Slab Design: Run Building Analysis > Analysis > Building Analysis
(Start). Use the Slab Strip tool (Using analytical strip mode) to analyze
individual slabs. Then go to Concrete Design > Slab Analysis and
Design, select the slab, and check the slab calculation sheet for any
deflection or failure.
b. Beam and Column Design: After the general analysis, perform an
interactive design to modify reinforcement where utilization ratios are
high. Right-click a member → Reinforcement Design and reduce
utilization (should be < 0.75) by increasing reinforcement, rebar
diameter, or section size.
At the end of the software training, I worked on a two-storey flat project to apply everything
we had learned. This project helped me understand how different design software can be used
together in real-life construction work.
1. ArchiCAD – I started by designing the building, creating the floor plans and 3D
model.
This project helped me understand how architectural design and structural design are
connected. It also gave me confidence in using these software tools to produce professional
designs.
3.4.7 CONCLUSION
The software training during my industrial attachment was very helpful. I learned how to use
AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, and ProtaStructure to design and analyze buildings.
These skills improved my knowledge of both architecture and structural engineering. I can
now create 2D and 3D drawings, model buildings, and check if a structure is strong enough.
The training made me more confident and better prepared for my career as a civil engineer.
CHAPTER FOUR
1. Frequent Rainfall: Heavy rainfall disrupted site activities such as excavation and
concrete casting, causing project delays.
2. Lack of Active Sites: At times, construction work was halted due to shortage of
materials or bad weather, limiting practical experience.
1. Weather Planning: Schedule major construction tasks during dry periods and
improve site drainage to manage rainwater.
5.0 CONCLUSION
The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) program undertaken at MIO
Construction Company Nigeria Limited provided me with valuable practical exposure to the
civil engineering field. During the six-month training, I participated in real construction
activities such as the construction of a 250m drainage channel for erosion control, which
helped me understand how theoretical knowledge is applied on-site.
I also developed strong software skills in AutoCAD, ArchiCAD, and ProtaStructure, which
enhanced my ability to design, model, and analyze structural and architectural works. The
training improved my technical competence, problem-solving ability, and teamwork spirit.
Beyond technical knowledge, I gained discipline, time management, and safety awareness, all
of which are essential qualities for a successful engineer. Overall, the SIWES program was
not only an academic requirement but also a great opportunity for personal and professional
growth.
5.1 RECOMMENDATION
1. Students should try as much as possible to apply in firms where their course of study is
practiced, but shouldn’t be limited by it, as the working experience gained is equally
valuable.
3. The University should build and maintain mutual relationships with employers to help
students secure industrial training placements more easily.
4. The government should enforce laws compelling companies to improve the stipends paid
to interns.
5. The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) should review its payment policy by increasing the
training allowance and ensuring prompt payment to interns.
REFERENCE
MIO Construction Limited Nigeria. Company Profile and Projects. Retrieved from
[Link]
SIWES Nigeria. SIWES Report Format and Guidelines. Retrieved from
[Link]
Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN). Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)
Handbook. Industrial Training Fund (ITF), 2013.
Adewuyi, A. P., & Odesola, I. A. (2015). Practical Experiences in Civil Engineering through
SIWES. Journal of Engineering Education and Training, Vol. 8(2).