Assessing The Influence of Participation in the Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on Technical Competency and Employability Among Building and Metalwork Technology Education Students in Lagos State Technical Colleges, Nigeria

The Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) is a key work-integrated learning programme designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and industrial practice in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). However, concerns persist regarding its effectiveness in developing technical competency and employability among students in Nigerian technical colleges. This study assessed the influence of participation in the Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on technical competency and employability among Building and Metalwork Technology Education students in Lagos State Technical Colleges, Nigeria. A descriptive correlational survey research design was adopted. The study population comprised approximately 6,000 students, from which 150 respondents were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using the researcher-developed Students' Industrial Work Experience Scheme, Technical Competency and Employability Questionnaire (SIWESTCEQ). The instrument was validated by experts in Technical and Vocational Education, Building and Metalwork Technology Education, and Educational Measurement and Evaluation, while its reliability was established using a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.70. Data were analysed using mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions, while Pearson Product-Moment Correlation and multiple regression analyses were employed to test the hypotheses at the 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that participation in SIWES significantly enhanced students' technical competency and employability by improving practical skills, occupational competence, communication, teamwork, adaptability, and professional confidence. The study concludes that effective SIWES participation strengthens workforce readiness and recommends closer collaboration among technical colleges, industries, employers, and the Industrial Training Fund to improve industrial training and graduate employability.