CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Students’ Industrial Work-experience Scheme (SIWES) is one of the Industrial Training Fund

(ITF) programme which was introduced in 1974 due to the inability of engineering and

technology students in Nigeria universities and polytechnics to meet the practical aspects of their

training. That is, the needs to enable students match their theoretical school knowledge with the

practical aspect of their training in industry. The Training lasts for six months. According to

Ekpenyong (2011), one of the principles underlying any industrial work experience scheme for

students in institutions of learning is the desire to marry the practical with the theoretical learning

which characterizes conventional classroom situations with a view to striking a balance between

theory and practice. The author stressed further that it was in realization of this that the ITF when

it was established, set out to study the extent to which the theoretical knowledge that students in

engineering technology and other allied fields in Nigerian institutions offering technology based

courses related to the kind of work experience expected of them by employers.

The result of the ITF survey showed a great disparity between students’ knowledge and their

ability to apply it in relevant jobs. In order to bridge the gap between the two, the ITF in 1974

established a co-operative internship programme, which enabled students of technology to spend

some part of their courses for relevant on the-job practical experiences in appropriate areas of the

Nigerian industry (Ekpenyong, 2011). The author further stressed that the internship programme,

SIWES, can therefore be seen as that which is intended to give Nigerian students studying

occupationally related courses experience that would supplement their theoretical learning as a

well of equipping the students with the needed skills to function in the world of work.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF SIWES

In recognition of the shortcomings and weakness in the formation of SET graduates, particularly

with respect to acquisition of relevant production skills (RPSs), the Industrial Training Fund

(which was itself established in 1971 by decree 47) initiated the Students’ Industrial Work-

experience Scheme (SIWES) in 1973. The scheme was designed to expose students to the

industrial environment and enable them develop occupational competencies so that they can

readily contribute their quota to national economic and technological development after

graduation.

Consequently, SIWES is a planned and structured programme based on stated and specific career

objectives which are geared toward developing the occupational competencies of participants.

In spite of the challenges faced by SIWES in the four decades of its existence, the Scheme has

not only raised consciousness and increased awareness about the need for training of SET

students, but has also helped in the formation of skilled and competent indigenous manpower

which has been manning and managing the technological resources and industrial sectors of the

economy. Participation in SIWES has become a necessary condition for the award of degrees

and diplomas to SET students graduating from higher institutions in Nigeria. It is therefore, not

in doubt that SIWES is a veritable means or tool for National Economic Development.

The main thrust of ITF programmes and services is to stimulate human performance, improve

productivity, and induce value-added production in industry and commerce. Through its SIWES

and Vocational and Apprentice Training Programmes, the Fund also builds capacity for

graduates and youth self-employment, in the context of Small Scale Industrialization, in the

economy.

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The Industrial Training Fund is a grade ‘A’ parasternal operating under the aegis of the Federal

Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. It has been operating for 42 years as a specialist

agency that promotes and encourages the acquisition of industrial and commercial skills required

for national economic development.

Vision Statement

To be the prime Skills Training Development Organization in Nigeria and one of the best in the

world.

Mission Statement

To set and regulate standards and offer direct training intervention in industrial and commercial

skills training and development, using a corps of highly competent professional staff, modern

techniques and technology.

AIM OF SIWES

The effort is aimed at helping/training students in the Nigerian tertiary institutions the practical

aspect of their field of study by exposing students to machines and equipment, professional work

methods and ways of safeguarding the work areas and workers in industries and other

organizations.

OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

The Industrial Training Fund’s policy Document No. 1 of 1973 which established SIWES

outlined the objectives of the scheme. The objectives are to:

1) It provides an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial

skills and experience during their course of study.

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2) Its exposed Students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and

machinery that may not be available in their institutions.

3) It makes the transition from school to the world of work easier and enhance students’

contact for later job placements and a chance to evaluate companies for which they might

wish to work.

4) It provides students with the opportunities to apply their educational knowledge in real

work and industrial situations, there by bridging the gap between theory and practice.

5) The programme teaches the students on how to interact effectively with other workers

and supervisors under various conditions in the organization.

IMPORTANCE OF SIWES TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

1. It exposes students to more practical work methods and techniques

2. It provides students in Mechanical Engineering with an opportunity to apply their

theoretical knowledge to real life situations.

3. It enables students in Mechanical Engineering to gain experience in handling equipment

and machineries in all aspect of engineering.

4. It provides an environment whereby students in Mechanical Engineering can develop

their creativity and interpersonal skills through software devices E.g The Germain Car

scanner IXE200, OBD etc).

5. It is one of the requirements for the award of National Diploma (ND) in Mechanical

Engineering.

Bodies Involved In the Management of SIWES

The bodies involved are Federal Government and Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

Other supervising agencies are National University Commission (NUC), National

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Body for Technical Education (NBTE) and National Council for Colleges of

Education (NCCE).

Function of the Agencies / Bodies

The function of the agencies above include among others:

1. To ensure adequate funding of the scheme

2. To establish SIWES and accredit SIWES unit in the approved institution

3. To formulate polices and guidelines for participating bodies and institutions

as well as appointing SIWES coordinators

4. To supervise students at their place of attachment and sign their log book

and supporting staff and ITF forms.

5. To ensure payment of allowances for the students and supervisors.

COMPANY PROFILE

IBRO AUTOMOBILE MOTORS

Ibro automobile Motors was incorporated in Nigeria with Registration Number

2001576. It was registered on 21 Mar 2005 and it’s current status is unknown.

Company’s registered office address is ADVANCE LINK FILLING STATION,

AHMADU BELLO WAY, BY UKE STREET, AREA 11, GARKI, ABUJA,. FCT.

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 CHAPTER TWO

EXPERICEN ACQUIRED DURING THE INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

During my Industrial Training the following are experience i acquired;

WORKSHOP

I was introduce to the workers of both the mechanical electrical section in the

workshop and i was give a proper orientation.

Safety precaution of workshop: Safety are instruction giving to individual or rule

of a workshop to avoid acceding or preventing our self from raiser.

Introduction to part of engine: Cylinder gasket, Oil pump, oil filter, pistons,

rings, engine setting, block engine, oil seal, valve, valve oil sea, top cylinder,

crankshaft etc

Introduction to tools: Tools are equipment used in work shop tool use t carry out

difference type of operation in workshop e.g pipe range, shipting spanner, hammer,

wheel spanner, screw driver etc.

BREAK

Break: is a mechanical device that stop motion by absorbing energy from a

moving system and it is used for slowing a stopping a vehicle.

Break system: are arrangement of various components that converts the vehicles

kinetic energy in to heat energy, which in turn stops vehicles or components. which

are fabric cylinder, calliper, Disc, pad.

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Break pad: are in flat piece of steel with a thick friction material. Layer on one side

this friction material type varies depending on vehicle type and size and brake

calliper type.

Break shoe or Shoe brake: Brake shoes carry the brakelining inside brake drum

system that are carried place of metal with a friction material fixed to one side.

Break Caliper: are connected by brake usually found on the front wheel.

Break Cylindral or muster cylinders: this is a system runs on brake fluid.

Brake disc: Is in circular shape and smooth surface which rotal with the wheel

along with pad set on the calliper.

Brake drum: is usually found on the back curved of brake shoe or lining.

Brake pad: are flat piece of steel with a thick friction material.

PUMP

Water pump: ensure the coolant keep moving through the engine block radiator

and hoses to help maintain to proper operating temperature.

Radiator: are heat exchange us4ed to transfer thermal energy from one medium to

another for the purpose of cooling and heating.

Fuel pump: is an electrical device fitted inside of vehicle engine and is

responsible for pumping gas to the engine from the fuel tank.

Fuel filter: is a filter in a fuel line that screens out dirt and dust particles from the

fuel and they are found in most internal combustion engines.

Fuel tank: Is used to store motor fuel such as petrol, diesel or fuel and gas.

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ENGINE

Engine: can be define as a machine that converts thermal energy into mechanical

energy or power to produce force and motion.

Block engine: it is the main part of the engine which piston is place to move to and

from and also with difference type of compointer.

Nozzle: is a device designed to control the direction of fuel flow to increase

velocity of an enclosed chamber.

Types of engine

- Gasoline or petrol engine

- Diesel engine

How to maintain engine

Checking the oil level on a regular basis and cooling system and it advised doing it

every time in the morning.

Change of engine oil or services

Draining the engine oil and change or replace your oil filter.

OTHER EXPERIENCE

- I was taught how to change oil and service car.

- I was taught hat is combustion, types & catalytic converter.

- I was taught what are piston ring, piston & types of piston.

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 CHAPTER THREE

CAR ENGINE

The engine is the heart of your car. It is a complex machine built to convert heat

from burning gas into the force that turns the road wheels.

ENGINE BLOCK

An engine block is the structure which contains the cylinders, and other parts, of an
internal combustion engine. In an early automotive engine, the engine block
consisted of just the cylinder block, to which a separate crankcase was attached.

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WORKSHOP TOOLS

PISTON

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BRAKE PAD

Brake pads are a component of disc brakes used in automotive and other

applications. Brake pads are composed of steel backing plates with friction

material.

CALIPER

A caliper is part of the disc brake system, the type most cars have in their front

brakes. The brake caliper houses your car's brake pads and pistons. Its job is to

slow the car's wheels by creating friction with the brake rotors.

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FUEL FILTER

It is a filter in a fuel line that screens out dirt and dust particles from the fuel and
they are found in most internal combustion engines.

ENGINE OIL

Motor oil is a lubricant used in internal combustion engines, which power cars,

motorcycles, lawnmowers, engine-generators, and many other machines.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

Recommendation

My recommendations will be directed to the organizers of SIWES programs, ITF,

the student and the institution.

Industrial Training Fund (ITF)

1. They should ensure placement for student at the stipulated time.

2. They should make monthly allowance available for students in other to bridge

the financial difficulty that may arise during the course of the program

3. The duration of the program should be extended so as to make students more

experienced.

Students

1. Nonchalant attitude towards work and learning should be discouraged among

students.

2. All students going for SIWES should seek internship in an establishment with

goals similar to their careers.

3. Student should prepare themselves for the technicality attached to the SIWES

training, and also be a good ambassador of their institution in their place of

internship.

4. Students should start surveying potential companies early so that the difficulty

of finding a placement will not be a problem.

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5. Moral and good behavior should be exhibited among student while undergoing

the internship.

Institutions

The University should try to collaborate with some industries and firms in order to

get easy placement for students.

CONCLUSION

I got a wealth of experience during my attachment. I came in contact with the

administration unit which we studied. I was privileged to partake in a demotion

exercise. I acquired diverse experience and knowledge, which will help me now

and in future. I also had the privilege of learning and respecting other people.

The attachment was an eye opener to me, and I'm glad I went through it. I must say

that this exercise is very beneficial and should be encouraged as it will see to the

harvest of myriads of professionals and technocrats in this society.

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