TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STUDENTS TOWARDS STUDENTS’ WORK EXPERIENCE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Attitude as a concept is concerned with individuals’ way of thinking, acting, and behaving. Attitudes are formed as a result of some kind of learning experiences. Attitude is fundamental to understanding social perception of people because they strongly influence people. Ojo (2000) said that it is the disposition of men to view things in a certain way and to act accordingly. This notion of attitude however, could be said to have propelled students who gain admission into universities to have preference for a particular course of study. Furthermore, some students still hold divergent views based on their attitudinal disposition to the Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), which motivate them towards the studying of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) in tertiary institutions.
According to Akerele (2007) the present state of technological development in Nigeria calls for appropriate orientations towards technological and vocational education as a springboard for skills acquisition. The Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) (2004) in her national policy on education defined technical and vocational education as acquisition of demonstrable skills that could be transformed into economic benefits. It also refers to those aspects of education process involving general education, the study of technologies, science and acquisition of practical knowledge and skills.
Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is defined as a skill training programme that is designed to expose and prepare students of education, agriculture, engineering & technology, environmental sciences, natural science, medical science and pure applied science for the industrial work situation. The objectives of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme among others includes to:
- Provide students with an opportunity to apply their knowledge in real work situation thereby bridging the gap between theory and practices.
- Enlist and strength employment in industrial commerce information and guideline for (SIWES 2002).
- Provide an avenue for students in institution of higher learning to acquire industrial skill and experience in their approve course of study.
- Prepare students for the industrial work situation which they are likely to meet after graduating.
- Expose students to work methods and techniques in handling equipment and machinery not available in the institution (Source: Information and Guidelines for SIWES, 2002).
