The Industrial Training Fund has vowed to sanction any organisation or employer found guilty of rejecting Industrial Training students.
Speaking during the orientation exercise for prospective IT students of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, on Thursday, the ITF Area Manager, Dr Ashore Paul, stressed that organisations in breach of the provisions of the Act establishing the fund are liable to conviction and sanctions.
Paul, who was represented by the Head of Training at the ITF Bauchi Area Office, Nanzem Yilshuut, said the law mandated every organisation to accept students for industrial attachment.
“Students seeking attachment for their Industrial Training must be given the desired consideration,” he said.
He urged the students to abide by the rules and regulations of their places of attachment, demonstrate discipline, and show readiness to learn.
“When these students come back, we expect that there is a difference. They should have learned something new because, definitely, what they learned in school would be expected to be put into practice. This will help them in their academic work and also assist them in their future endeavours.
“We go round to ensure that they are doing what they are expected to do at their places of attachment. When we go for supervision, we ensure that what they are learning is in line with their courses,” he added.
On his part, the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Sani Usman, said the industrial attachment was a vital component of the institution’s mandate as a technology and skill-driven centre of learning.
“Our students are given industrial experience during their first year to register in their minds that all of them are meant to be skilled classmen and women.
“That is why the industrial attachment is very important. It enables them to build on what they have learned in their respective classrooms and practicals during the year,” Usman explained.
He also stressed the importance of supervision during SIWES to ensure students attend their placements, perform their assigned duties, and are not exploited by employers.
The rector further disclosed that no fewer than 3,000 students from across the institution’s departments would participate in this year’s Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme.
