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Assessing the Impact of the Student’s Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) on Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMES) in Benue State, Nigeria

Osondu Joshua Ebuka

Abstract

Industrial Work Scheme is a mandatory component of many Nigerian tertiary programmes, intended to bridge the gap between academic training and practical workplace skills. This study evaluates how SIWES placements affect the performance, innovation capacity, and growth of small and medium-Scale Enterprises in Benue State. Using a structured survey administered to 150 SMEs that have hosted SIWES interns and 150 that have not, the researcher measures changes in productivity, product/service diversification, employee skill levels, and business networking. Findings will inform policy adjustment for TETFUND- sponsored programmes and provide SMEs with evidence-based strategies to maximise benefits from student’s internships.

References

Adebowale, O. (2022). Financing constraints and growth of SMEs in Nigeria. Journal of African Business, 23(2), 145-162. Adeyemi, S., &Ojo, L.(2018). Impact of SIWES on productivity in Lagos SMEs. Nigerian Journal of Management Sciences, 12(1), 33-48. Aliyu, M. (2019). Supervisory challenges in industrial training: Evidence from Kaduna SMEs. International Journal of Vocational Education, 7(3) 77-90. Barney, J. (1991). Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120. Becker, G.S. (1964). Human capital: a theoretical and empirical analysis. Columbia University Press Benue State Bureau of Statistics, (2022). Annual economic survey. Benue State ministry of Commerce & Industry. (2023). SME sector report. Eze, U., & Nwosu, C.(2020). Evaluating the effectiveness of SIWES in Nigerian universities. Higher Education Research, 5(4), 212-229. Federal Ministry of Education, (2020). National policy on technical and vocational education. Industrial Training Fund . (2019). SIWES operational guidelines. Madu, I.(2022). Internships and innovation in Port Harcourt SMEs. African Innovation Review, 9(1), 55-71. Okonkwo, P.(2021). Mentorship quality and learning outcomes in SIWES. Journal of Workplace Learning, 33(5), 389-405. Okwara, V.(2020). Skill mismatch in Nigeria’s labor market. Labour Economics Quarterly, 14(2), 101-118. Umar, A. A. (2021). Infrastructure deficits and business performance among small and medium enterprises in Nigeria. Journal of Economic Development and Policy Studies, 14(2), 101– 117.

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