TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -------------------------I

Table of content- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - --------------- -II

Dedication - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - IV

Acknowledgement- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - V

Abstract - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - VI

CHAPTER ONE: Introduction

1.1: Student industrial work experience scheme (siwes) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - 1

1.2: Historical development of SIWES - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - 1

1.2.1 Bodies Involved In the Management of Siwes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - 2

1.2.2 Structure of Siwes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - 2

1.3:Aim and Objectives of siwes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------- - - - --- - - - - - 3

1.4: Advantages of siwes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 3

1.5: scope of the report-----------------------------------------------------------------------------4

CHAPTER TWO: Katforex Global Synergy Nigeria Limited.

2.1 Historical Background of Katforex Global Synergy Nigeria Limited - - - - - -- -- -- - - 5

2.1.1 Location - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - -- - -- - - - 5

2.2 Aim and Objectives of the organization - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - -- - 5

2.3 Core Values - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - ------------ - - - - - - - - - -- - - - 5

2.4 Organizational Structure - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- 7

CHAPTER THREE: Activities carried out during the period of the training scheme

3.1 Site activities - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - -- - --- 7

3.1.1 Excavations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - --- 7

3.1.1.1 Trench excavation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - 7

3.1.1.2 Pits excavation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ----- - - - - - - 8

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3.1.2 Column base placing and setting of column’s starters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 8

3.1.3 Concrete casting for foundation footing and column base - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 9

3.1.4 Forming for foundation block work - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 10

3.1.5 Backfilling, laterite filling, compaction and laying of damp proof membrane (dpm) 11

3.1.6 Casting for over site concrete and columns’ starters - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11

3.1.7 Forming for block work of superstructure - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12

3.1.8 Formwork for columns lintels and beams - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12

3.1.9 Staircase work - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - 13

3.1.9.1 Staircase starters placing, formwork fixing and concrete casting- - - - - -- - - - 13

3.1.10 Formwork and arrangement of reinforcement bars for concrete suspended

floors- - - - - - - - - -------------- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 14

3.1.11 Concrete casting for suspended floor slab - - - - - - - - - - - - ------ - - - - - - - - - - - 14

3.1.12 internal and external block work - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - ----------------- - - - - - - - - 15

3.1.13 Roofing - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ------------- - - - - - - - - - - - 16

3.1.14 finishes (POP Ceiling, POP Ceiling screeding and External wall tiling) - - ------- - - -- - - - 17

3.2 Experience gained - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ---- - - - - - --- - - - - - 19

CHAPTER FOUR: Problems Encountered and Solutions Adopted

4.1 Problems Encountered - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - 20

4.2 Solutions adopted - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - 20

4.3 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - 20

4.4 Recommendations - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - 20

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 DEDICATION

This work is dedicated to my beloved Parents, family members and loved ones for relentless

support towards the success of my study.

iv
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I will like to express my profound gratitude to Allah the beneficent and the most merciful for

everything. Also my heartfelt appreciations go to my entire family members for my moral

and spiritual upbringing, I will also like to express my appreciation to all the staffs of

KATFOREX GLOBAL SYNERGY NIGERIA LIMITED for kindness, support and guidance

throughout my IT period and finally, to the entire staff of Building Department for imparting

character and knowledge to me.

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 ABSTRACT

This report is intended to give full account of the experience gathered throughout the period

of the Industrial Training. These include academic and others, most importantly the practical

knowledge and experiences about site management and construction methods etc. It should,

as a matter of importance, give full details of what have been learnt on site which can be new

or an improvement on what was learnt in the CLASSROOM, SWEP or SIWES I.

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 STUDENT INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME (SIWES)

Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme also known as Industrial Training (IT) is a

scheme introduced in 1973 by the Education Trust Fund (ETF) into the Nigerian system of

higher education in order to prepare students of Nigerian Universities, Polytechnics and

Colleges of Education to acquire adequate practical skills and expertise to fit in the country’s

labor force effectively after graduation. The scheme exposes students to industry based skills

necessary for a smooth transition from the classroom to the world of work. It affords students

of tertiary institutions the opportunity of being familiarized and exposed to the needed

experience in handling machinery and equipment which are usually not available in the

educational institutions. Hence, the student is given an opportunity to relate academic

programmed career goals to pre-professional work experience thus giving him/her an insight

into his chosen career.

1.2 HISTROCAL DEVELOPMENT OF SIWES

The Government Decree No.47 of 8th October 1971 as amended in 1990, highlighted the

capacity building of human resources in industry, commerce and government through

training and retraining of workers in order to effectively provide the much needed high

quality goods and services to the country and the world at large.

This decree led to the establishment of Industrial training fund (ITF) in 1973/1974. The major

concern among the Industrialists is that the graduates of Institutions of higher learning, lack

adequate practical background studies preparatory for employment in Industries, this led to

the formation of Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) by the Industrial

Training Fund (ITF). SIWES is a skill acquisition program designed to expose and prepare

students of Agriculture, Engineering, Technology, Environmental, Medical Science and Pure

1
and Applied Science for Industrial work situation which they are likely to meet after

graduation.

1.2.1 Bodies Involved In the Management of Siwes

The bodies involved are: Federal Government, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), other

Supervising agencies such as National University Commission (NUC), National Board for

Technical Education (NBTE) & National Council for Colleges of Education (NCCE).

The functions of these agencies include among others to:-

• Ensure adequate funding of the scheme;

• Establish SIWES and accredit SIWES unit in the approved institutions;

• Formulate policies and guidelines for participating bodies and institutions

• Appointing SIWES coordinators and supporting staff.

• Supervise students at their places of attachment and sign their log-book and ITF forms.

• Vet and process student’s log-books and forward same to ITF area office.

• Ensure the payment of allowances for the students and supervisors.

Therefore, the success of SIWES depends on the efficiency of the ministries, ITF,

institutions, employers of labor and the general public involved in articulation and

management of the program. Thus the evaluation of SIWES in tertiary institutions in meeting

up with the needs for the establishment of the program is necessary.

Participation in SIWES has become a prerequisite for the award of Diploma and Degree

certificates in specific disciplines especially Engineering, Sciences and other Technology

related disciplines in most institutions of higher learning in the country, in accordance with

the education policy of the government.

1.2.2 Structure of Siwes

 Employers of labour as well as the institutions.

 Funding: The Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Beneficiaries: Undergraduate students and other students of higher institution of learning

from disciplines such as Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental, Sciences, Education,

Medical Sciences and Applied Science.

 Duration: Four months for polytechnic and colleges of education, and six/twelve months

for universities.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF SIWES

 THE AIM OF SIWES;- is to expose students to relevant practical experience and fill the

gap existing between theory and practice of Engineering, Environmental, Sciences,

Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Management and other professional courses in Nigerian

institutions.

However, the scheme has the following objectives:

 To provide an avenue for students to acquire practical skills and exposure in their

course of study.

 To provides students the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge into real

work situation, thereby bridges the gap between school work and practical experience

 To exposes students to work method and techniques in handling equipment and

machineries that may not be available in their schools.

 To prepare students for the work solution and the principle and procedure of their

various professions.

 To assist student, prepare for challenges faced after graduation in their respective

fields.

1.4 Advantages of SIWES

The scheme counts as a one year working experience when one seeks for employment as a

student partakes in a three (3) months Student Work Experience Program (SWEP), a three (3)

3
months Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES I) and Six (6) months (SIWES

II).

The scheme gives opportunity for companies to shape future employees to their taste at no

cost; this saves them the expenses of training them after employment.

The scheme provides opportunities for students to establish good contacts with the companies

where they did the IT if they may go back to look for job in those companies.

1.5 Scope of Report

This technical report covers the experience acquired during the construction of a shopping

complex at Kano, Kano State throughout the 22 weeks of the training scheme.

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 CHAPTER TWO

2.1 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KATFOREX GLOBAL SYNERGY NIGERIA

LIMITED

Katforex global synergy is a general mechandise and Procurement Company having three

both directors and shareholders with relevant staffs also has its head office located at Kano,

Kano State. It was incorporated in Kano, Nigeria with registration number 1248535 and was

registered on 13th March 2015. The objective is providing services in the Nigerian

construction Industry. Since then Katforex has, either solely or in collaboration with other

companies, participated in various development projects. Undertaken projects thus, include

but not limited to: Educational, Industrial, Shops buildings/complexes, Research/Health

Institutions, Office Complexes, Civic Administration, Recreational centers and others.

2.1.1 Location

No. 59, Murtala Mohammed Way Wappa Kano, Kano State.

2.2 Aim and Objectives:

Aim

To be among the standard and sound construction firms at national and international level.

Objectives

i. To adhere to code practice through precision and consistency.

ii. To improve the quality and sustainability of the built environment for all.

iii. To Deliver and manage standard buildings will be environmentally friendly.

2.3 Core Values

 Integrity: Exercise integrity through transparency, accountability and adherence to

building regulations and code of practice.

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  Teamwork: Fostering cooperation and combining our efforts to deliver results

efficiently.

 Professionalism: KATFOREX is committed to performing its tasks competently and

ethically at all times.

2.4 Organizational Structure

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 CHAPTER THREE

3.0 Activities carried out during the period of the training scheme

Having stayed for the period of 22 weeks with the Katforex Global Synergy Nigeria

Limited, I was inspired and have gained an enormous beam of practical knowledge from

experienced and relentless professionals that participated in the construction from day one to

the last day of my attachment with them. These knowledge and experiences gained will be

outlined in ascending order of construction stages, thus:

3.1 SITE ACTIVITIES

 Excavation

 Column Base placing and Setting of Columns starters.

 Concrete Casting for Foundation Footing and column base.

 Forming for foundation block work.

 Back filling, earth filling and compaction.

 Laying of Hard core, damp proof membrane (DPM) and BRS wire mesh.

 Damp proof course (DPC).

 Forming for Block work of superstructure.

 Formwork for Columns, beams, and slab.

 Arrangement of reinforcement bars for slabs.

 Electrical and mechanical services piping.

 Roofing.

 Finishes

3.1.1 EXCAVATIONS

3.1.1.1 Trench excavation; - the proposed drawing was transferred to the ground accurately

by some marks on the ground which were used to start the excavation of width of 700mm

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and depth of 900mm for strip foundation and 1200mm for pad foundation that will support

columns.

3.1.1.2 Pits excavation: a trench with dimensions 150 x 1200 x 1200mm for column base

was dug below the level of the initial trench. The excavation work was carried out by laborers

with tools like shovel and diggers.

3.1.2 COLUMN BASE PLACING AND SETTING OF COLUMN’S STARTERS.

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After arranging of reinforcement for column base, columns starters were place on top of the

column base and aligned by tying linen thread to the nails at both ends of the grids on the

profile board such that 25mm was left for concrete cover. 16mm high yield steel bars were

used for the column starter while 12mm diameter for the column base.

3.1.3 CONCRETE CASTING FOR FOUNDATION FOOTING AND COLUMN BASE.

A concrete mixer was used to mix cement, and aggregates in the ratio of 1:2:4 with

reasonable quantity of water and afterwards the concrete paste was poured into the trench and

9
was compacted properly to remove the trapped air in the concrete, followed by consequent

curing to allow the concrete to achieve its optimal strength.

3.1.4 FORMING FOR FOUNDATION BLOCK WORK.

Hollow sand Crete blocks of 225x450mm were laid in stretcher bond with mortar ratio 1:6

solid filled with weak concrete using lines, trowel, spirit level, pins wooden float, and

builder`s line.

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3.1.5 BACKFILLING, LATERITE FILLING, COMPACTION AND LAYING OF

DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE (DPM).

After block work in the trench was completed, the excavated earth was backfilled around the

block work. Laterite earth was supplied, filled into the patitions and compacted in 150mm

layers, Damp Proof Membrane (Dpm) and hard cord were subsequently laid on the well

compacted earth filling thereby making them suitable to receive the over site concrete.

3.1.6 CASTING FOR OVER SITE CONCRETE AND COLUMNS’ STARTER.

Concrete mix of ratio 1:2:4 was used for concrete casting for the columns and over site

concrete.

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3.1.7 FORMING FOR BLOCK WORK OF SUPERSTRUCTURE.

Hollow sand Crete blocks of 225x450mm were laid in stretcher bond in mortar ratio 1:6 solid filled

with weak concrete using lines, trowel, spirit level, pins wooden float, sprit level and builder`s line

and formwork columns, lintels, to beam level.

3.1.8 FORMWORK FOR COLUMNS LINTELS AND BEAMS.

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3.1.9 STAIRCASE WORK.

3.1.9.1 Staircase starters placing, formwork fixing and concrete casting;

16mm diameter high yield steel bars were arranged at 150mm interval with over length of

750mm were placed inside the dpc mass concrete during the previous casting. Continuous

reinforcement bars were tied to the starters during the first floor slab reinforcement bars’

arrangement prior to concrete casting with the first floor slab.

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3.1.10 FORMWORK AND ARRANGEMENT OF REINFORCEMENT BARS FOR
CONCRETE SUSPENDED FLOORS.

Formwork was done using timber wood and arraignment of slab bars 12mm diameter high

yield steel bars was used and 200mm space was used and 16mm diameter bars for beams and

binding wire for holding the joint and electric and mechanical services was done.

3.1.11 CONCRETE CASTING FOR SUSPENDED FLOOR SLAB

Concrete mix of ratio 1:2:4 with reasonable quantity of water was used for the concrete

casting.

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3.1.12 INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BLOCK WORK

Block work was done between the structural frame’s intervals to form the required enclosure

and leave only the functional the openings.

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3.1.13 ROOFING

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3.1.14 FINISHES:

POP Ceiling

17
POP Ceiling screeding

External wall tiling

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3.2 EXPERIENCE GAINED

3.2.1 Site Experience

Substructure work: setting out, excavation for foundation, column pit excavation, column

base concrete casting, foundation block work, backfilling, laterite filling, compaction and

casting for DPC.

Superstructure work: internal and external block work, staircase, lintels, columns and

beams, suspended floor slabs, suspended floor’s internal and external block work, roofing

finishes (POP ceiling, screeding and tiling).

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 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 Problems Encountered and Solutions Adopted:

4.1 Problems Encountered

1. Difficulty in securing the IT place.

2. Inadequate cooperation from artisan and laymen.

3. Inconsistence of the laymen with drawings’ specifications.

4. Insufficient provision for safety on site.

5. Absence of the industrial supervisors when there was need to make questions.

4.2 Solutions adopted

1. Attention of the industrial supervisors had to be called on critical issues.

2. Close supervision had to be maintained to ensure precision.

3. Movement around the sites had to be with strict carefulness.

4. Some questions had to be reserved till the industrial supervisors arrived.

5. The client should always pay for the valuation on time to enable the contractor to

continue the project.

4.3 Conclusion

The experience gained during my industrial training was beyond reckoning and it was a

wonderful opportunity and privilege that can never be forgotten because I was indeed

exposed to practical aspect of my course and the gap that existed between theoretical

knowledge learnt in classroom and practical knowledge on site is reduced to a greater extent.

Hence, the aim of the training scheme has been achieved.

4.4 Recommendations

Having completed my industrial training at Katforex Global Synergy Nigeria Limited, I

will like to recommend the following:

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 Students at high institutions of learning should be encouraged to try and be visiting

construction site from time to time for practical knowledge before undertaking his/her

industrial training and for the purpose of self-reliance after graduation.

 Students should be guided to choose right establishment for attachment.

 It is of immense impact to provide financial support to students undergoing industrial

training so that they can maintain focus on what they are expected to learn during the

period.

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